Alice,  with  both  elbows  on  the  table,  listened  with  wide-awake 
eyes."  —  PAGE  So. 


GARLAND  FOR  GIRLS 


BY 


LOUISA   M.   ALCOTT, 

AUTHOR     OF 
"LITTLE    WOMEN,"    "LITTLE    MEN,"     "  JO'S    BOYS,"   ETC.,    ETC. 


BOSTON: 

ROBERTS     BROTHERS. 
1893. 


Copyright,  1887, 
BY  LOUISA  M.  ALCOTT. 


Smbersttg 
JOHN  WILSON  AND  SON,  CAMBRIDGE. 


K/HA) 


TO 


R.    A.    LAWRENCE      , 

THIS     LITTLE     BOOK    IS    AFFECTIONATELY     INSCRIBED 
BY     HER    GRATEFUL    FRIEND, 

L.  M.  ALCOTT. 


M29373O 


PREFACE. 


["THESE  stories  were  written  for  my  own  arnuse- 

•*•     ment  during  a  period  of  enforced  seclusion. 

The  flowers  which  were  my  solace  and  pleasure 

suggested  titles  for  the  tales  and  gave  an  interest 

to  the  work. 

If  my  girls  find  a  little  beauty  or  sunshine  in 
these  common  blossoms,  their  old  friend  will  not 
have  made  her  Garland  in  vain. 

L.   M.    ALCOTT. 

SEPTEMBER,  1887. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

MAY  FLOWERS 1 

AN  IVY  SPRAY  AND  LADIES'  SLIPPERS     .        .  43 

PANSIES 71 

WATER-LILIES 96 

POPPIES  AND  WHEAT 132 

LITTLE  BUTTON-ROSE 174 

MOUKTAIN-LAUREL  AND  MAIDENHAIR  .  221 


LOUISA  M.  ALCOTT'S  STORY  BOOKS. 


.    "Z-   s%^.  V.  te\S 

•_r 


FROM    "SPINNING-WHEEL    STORIES." 

THE  SPINNING-WHEEL  SERIES: 

SILVER    PITCHERS,  and  Other  Stories. 

PROVERB    STORIES. 

SPINNING-WHEEL    STORIES. 

A  GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS,  and  Other  Stories. 

4  volumes.    Cloth.     Price,  $1.25  each. 

ROBERTS    BROTHERS,  PUBLISHERS, 

BOSTON. 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS. 


VIGNETTE Titlepage 

"THE  POOR  LITTLE  THING  CAME  AND  STOOD  AT 

MY  KNEE" 24 

"  SHE  GAYLY  LED  HER  TROOP  THROUGH  THE 

PRETTY  DANCE" 50 

"ALICE,  WITH  BOTH  ELBOWS  ON  THE  TABLE,  LIS 
TENED  WITH  WIDE-AWAKE  EYES  "  .  .  .  .  80 

"  A  TALL,  ROBUST  GIRL  OF  SEVENTEEN  CAME 
UP  THE  ROCKY  PATH  FROM  THE  BEACH  ;  A 
STURDY  LAD  OF  TWELVE  CAME  LURCHING 
AFTER  HER  " 96 

"  AND  SITTING  SIDE  BY  SIDE  IN  AN  AFFECTION 
ATE  BUNCH,  THE  GIRLS  READ  THE  HAPPY 

NEWS  " 170 

"POOR  BUTTON  FELL  ASLEEP" 211, 

"  SHE   WROTE    IT    HERSELF  !  " 238 


A    GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 


MAY   FLOWERS. 

BEING  Boston  girls,  of  course  they  got  up  a  club  for 
mental  improvement,  and,  as  they  were  all  descendants 
of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  they  called  it  the  May  Flower 
Club.  A  very  good  name,  and  the  six  young  girls  who 
were  members  of  it  made  a  very  pretty  posy  when 
they  met  together,  once  a  week,  to  sew,  and  read  well- 
chosen  books.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  season, 
after  being  separated  all  summer,  there  was  a  good  deal 
of  gossip  to  be  attended  to  before  the  question,  "  What 
shall  we  read  ] "  came  up  for  serious  discussion. 

Anna  Winslow,  as  president,  began  by  proposing 
"  Happy  Dodd  ;  "  but  a  chorus  of  "  I  've  read  it !  " 
made  her  turn  to  her  list  for  another  title. 

"  '  Prisoners  of  Poverty '  is  all  about  workingwomen, 
very  true  and  very  sad  ;  but  Mamma  said  it  might  do 
us  good  to  know  something  of  the  hard  times  other  girls 
have,"  said  Anna,  soberly ;  for  she  was  a  thoughtful 
creature,  very  anxious  to  do  her  duty  in  all  ways. 

"  I  'd  rather  not  know  about  sad  things,  since  I  can't 
help  to  make  them  any  better,"  answered  Ella  Carver, 
1 


2  A  GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

softly  patting  the  apple  blossoms  she  was  embroidering 
on  a  bit  of  blue  satin. 

"  But  we  might  help  if  we  really  tried,  I  suppose  ; 
you  know  how  much  Happy  Dodd  did  when  she  once 
began,  and  she  was  only  a  poor  little  girl  without  half 
the  means  of  doing  good  which  we  have,"  said  Anna, 
glad  to  discuss  the  matter,  for  she  had  a  little  plan 
in  her  head  and  wanted  to  prepare  a  way  for  propos 
ing  it. 

"  Yes,  I  'm  always  saying  that  I  have  more  than  my 
share  of  fun  and  comfort  and  pretty  things,  and  that  I 
ought  and  will  share  them  with  some  one.  But  I  don't 
do  it;  and  now  and  then,  when  I  hear  about  real  pov 
erty,  or  dreadful  sickness,  I  feel  so  wicked  it  quite  up 
sets  me.  If  I  knew  how  to  begin,  I  really  would.  But 
dirty  little  children  don't  come  in  my  way,  nor  tipsy 
women  to  be  reformed,  nor  nice  lame  girls  to  sing  and 
pray  with,  as  it  all  happens  in  books,"  cried  Marion 
Warren,  with  such  a  remorseful  expression  on  her 
rnerry  round  face  that  her  mates  laughed  with  one 
accord. 

"  I  know  something  that  I  could  do  if  I  only  had 
the  courage  to  begin  it.  But  Papa  would  shake  his 
head  unbelievingly,  and  Mamma  worry  about  its  being 
proper,  and  it  would  interfere  with  my  music,  and 
everything  nice  that  I  especially  wanted  to  go  to  would 
be  sure  to  come  on  whatever  day  I  set  for  my  good 
work,  and  I  should  get  discouraged  or  ashamed,  and 
not  half  do  it,  so  I  don't  begin,  but  I  know  I  ought/' 
And  Elizabeth  Alden  rolled  her  large  eyes  from  one 
friend  to  another,  as  if  appealing  to  them  to  goad  her 


MAY  FLOWERS.  3 

to  this  duty  by  counsel  and  encouragement  of  some 
sort. 

"Well,  I  suppose  it's  right,  but  I  do  perfectly  hate 
to  go  poking  round  among  poor  folks,  smelling  bad 
smells,  seeing  dreadful  sights,  hearing  woful  tales,  and 
running  the  risk  of  catching  fever,  and  diphtheria,  and 
horrid  tilings.  I  don't  pretend  to  like  charity,  but  say 
right  out  I  'm  a  silly,  selfish  wretch,  and  want  to  enjoy 
every  minute,  and  not  worry  about  other  people.  Is  n't 
it  shameful  ? " 

Maggie  Bradford  looked  such  a  sweet  little  sinner  as 
she  boldly  made  this  sad  confession,  that  no  one  could 
scold  her,  though  Ida  Standish,  her  bosom  friend,  shook 
her  head,  and  Anna  said,  with  a  sigh  :  "  I  'm  afraid  we 
all  feel  very  much  as  Maggie  does,  though  we  don't 
own  it  so  honestly.  Last  spring,  when  I  was  ill  and 
thought  I  might  die,  I  was  so  ashamed  of  my  idle,  friv 
olous  winter,  that  I  felt  as  if  I  'd  give  all  I  had  to  be 
able  to  live  it  over  and  do  better.  Much  is  not  ex 
pected  of  a  girl  of  eighteen,  I  know ;  but  oh  !  there  were 
heaps  of  kind  little  things  I  might  have  done  if  I  had  n't 
thought  only  of  myself.  I  resolved  if  I  lived  I  'd  try 
at  least  to  be  less  selfish,  and  make  some  one  happier 
for  my  being  in  the  world.  I  tell  you,  girls,  it 's  rather 
solemn  when  you  lie  expecting  to  die,  and  your  sins 
come  up  before  you,  even  though  they  are  very  smal) 
ones.  I  never  shall  forget  it,  and  after  my  lovely 
summer  I  mean  to  be  a  better  girl,  and  lead  a  better 
life  if  I  can." 

Anna  was  so  much  in  earnest  that  her  words,  straight 
out  of  a  very  innocent  and  contrite  heart,  touched  her 


4  A   OAKLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

hearers  deeply,  and  put  them  into  the  right  mood  to 
embrace  her  proposition.  No  one  spoke  for  a  moment, 
then  Maggie  said  quietly,  — 

"  I  know  what  it  is.  I  felt  very  much  so  when  the 
horses  ran  away,  and  for  fifteen  minutes  I  sat  clinging 
to  Mamma,  expecting  to  be  killed.  Every  unkind, 
undutiful  word  I M  ever  said  to  her  came  back  to  me, 
and  was  worse  to  bear  than  the  fear  of  sudden  death. 
It  scared  a  great  deal  of  naughtiness  out  of  me,  and 
dear  Mamma  and  I  have  been  more  to  each  other 
ever  since." 

"  Let  us  begin  with  '  The  Prisoners  of  Poverty,'  and 
perhaps  it  will  show  us  something  to  do,"  said  Lizzie. 
"  But  I  must  say  I  never  felt  as  if  shop-girls  needed 
much  help;  they  generally  seem  so  contented  with 
themselves,  and  so  pert  or  patronizing  to  us,  that 
I  don't  pity  them  a  bit,  though  it  must  be  a  hard 
life." 

"  I  think  we  can't  do  much  in  that  direction,  except 
set  an  example  of  good  manners  when  we  go  shopping. 
I  wanted  to  propose  that  we  each  choose  some  small 
charity  for  this  winter,  and  do  it  faithfully.  That  will 
teach  us  how  to  do  more  by-and-by,  and  we  can  help 
one  another  with  our  experiences,  perhaps,  or  amuse 
with  our  failures.  What  do  you  say1?"  asked  Anna, 
surveying  her  five  friends  with  a  persuasive  smile. 

"  What  could  we  do  T' 

"  People  will  call  us  goody-goody." 

"  I  have  n't  the  least  idea  how  to  go  to  work." 

"  Don't  believe  Mamma  will  let  me." 

"  We  'd  better  change  our  names  from  May  Flowers 


MAY   FLOWERS.  5 

to  sisters  of  charity,  and  wear  meek  black  bonnets  and 
flapping  cloaks." 

Anna  received  these  replies  with  great  composure, 
and  waited  for  the  meeting  to  come  to  order,  well 
knowing  that  the  girls  would  have  their  fun  and  outcry 
first,  and  then  set  to  work  in  good  earnest. 

"  I  think  it 's  a  lovely  idea,  and  I  '11  carry  out  my 
plan.  But  I  won't  tell  what  it  is  yet ;  you  'd  all  shout, 
and  say  I  could  n't  do  it,  but  if  you  were  trying  also, 
that  would  keep  me  up  to  the  mark,"  said  Lizzie,  with 
a  decided  snap  of  her  scissors,  as  she  trimmed  the  edges 
of  a  plush  case  for  her  beloved  music. 

"  Suppose  we  all  keep  our  attempts  secret,  and  not 
let  our  right  hand  know  what  the  left  hand  does  ? 
It 's  such  fun  to  mystify  people,  and  then  no  one  can 
laugh  at  us.  If  we  fail,  we  can  say  nothing;  if  we 
succeed,  we  can  tell  of  it  and  get  our  reward.  I  'd  like 
that  way,  and  will  look  round  at  once  for  some  espe 
cially  horrid  boot-black,  ungrateful  old  woman,  or  ugly 
child,  and  devote  myself  to  him,  her,  or  it  with  the  pa 
tience  of  a  saint,"  cried  Maggie,  caught  by  the  idea  of 
doing  good  in  secret  and  being  found  out  by  accident. 

The  other  girls  agreed,  after  some  discussion,  and 
then  Anna  took  the  floor  again. 

"  I  propose  that  we  each  work  in  our  own  way  till 
next  May,  then,  at  our  last  meeting,  report  what  we 
have  done,  truly  and  honestly,  and  plan  something 
better  for  next  year.  Is  it  a  vote  1 " 

It  evidently  was  a  unanimous  vote,  for  five  gold 
thimbles  went  up,  and  five  blooming  faces  smiled  as 
the  five  girlish  voices  cried,  "  Aye  !  " 


6  A  OAKLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  Very  well,  now  let  us  decide  what  to  read,  and 
begin  at  once.  I  think  the  *  Prisoners '  a  good  book, 
and  we  shall  doubtless  get  some  hints  from  it." 

So  they  began,  and  for  an  hour  one  pleasant  voice 
after  the  other  read  aloud  those  sad,  true  stories  of 
workingwomen  and  their  hard  lives,  showing  these  gay 
young  creatures  what  their  pretty  clothes  cost  the 
real  makers  of  them,  and  how  much  injustice,  suffering, 
and  wasted  strength  went  into  them.  It  was  very 
sober  reading,  but  most  absorbing  ;  for  the  crochet 
needles  went  slower  and  slower,  the  lace-work  lay  idle, 
and  a  great  tear  shone  like  a  drop  of  dew  on  the  apple 
blossoms  as  Ella  listened  to  "  Rose's  Story."  They 
skipped  the  statistics,  and  dipped  here  and  there  as 
each  took  her  turn  ;  but  when  the  two  hours  were  over, 
and  it  was  time  for  the  club  to  adjourn,  all  the  mem 
bers  were  deeply  interested  in  that  pathetic  book,  and 
more  in  earnest  than  before  ;  for  this  glimpse  into  other 
lives  showed  them  how  much  help  was  needed,  and 
made  them  anxious  to  lend  a  hand. 

"  We  can't  do  much,  being  '  only  girls,' "  said  Anna  ; 
"  but  if  each  does  one  small  chore  somewhere  it  will 
pave  the  way  for  better  work ;  so  we  will  all  try,  at 
least,  though  it  seems  like  so  many  ants  trying  to 
move  a  mountain." 

"  Well,  ants  build  nests  higher  than  a  man's  head  in 
Africa ;  you  remember  the  picture  of  them  in  our  old 
geographies]  And  we  can  do  as  much,  I'm  sure,  if 
•each  tugs  her  pebble  or  straw  faithfully.  I  shall  shoul 
der  mine  to-morrow  if  Mamma  is  willing,"  answered 
Lizzie,  shutting  up  her  work-bag  as  if  she  had  her  res- 


MAY   FLOWERS.  7 

elation  inside  and  was  afraid  it  might  evaporate  before 
she  got  home. 

"  I  shall  stand  on  the  Common,  and  proclaim  aloud, 
'  Here  's  a  nice  young  missionary,  in  want  of  a  job  ! 
Charity  for  sale  cheap!  Who'll  buy1?  who'll  buy?'" 
said  Maggie,  with  a  resigned  expression,  and  a  sanc 
timonious  twang  to  her  voice. 

"  I  shall  wait  and  see  what  comes  to  me,  since  I 
don't  know  what  I  'm  fit  for  ; "  and  Marion  gazed  out 
of  the  window  as  if  expecting  to  see  some  interesting 
pauper  waiting  for  her  to  appear. 

"  I  shall  ask  Miss  Bliss  for  advice  ;  she  knows  all 
about  the  poor,  and  will  give  me  a  good  start,"  added 
prudent  Ida,  who  resolved  to  do  nothing  rashly  lest 
she  should  fail. 

"  I  shall  probably  have  a  class  of  dirty  little  girls, 
and  teach  them  how  to  sew,  as  I  can't  do  anything  else. 
They  won't  learn  much,  but  steal,  and  break,  and  mess, 
and  be  a  dreadful  trial,  and  I  shall  get  laughed  at  and 
wish  I  had  n't  done  it.  Still  I  shall  try  it,  and  sacri 
fice  my  fancy-work  to  the  cause  of  virtue,"  said  Ella, 
carefully  putting  away  her  satin  glove-case  with  a  fond 
glance  at  the  delicate  flowers  she  so  loved  to  embroider. 

"  I  have  no  plans,  but  want  to  do  so  much  I  shall 
have  to  wait  till  I  discover  what  is  best.  After  to-day 
we  won't  speak  of  our  work,  or  it  won't  be  a  secret  any 
longer.  In  May  we  will  report.  Good  luck  to  all, 
and  good-by  till  next  Saturday." 

With  these  farewell  words  from  their  president  the 
girls  departed,  with  great  plans  and  new  ideas  simmer 
ing  in  their  young  heads  and  hearts. 


8  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

It  seemed  a  vast  undertaking ;  but  where  there  is  a 
will  there  is  always  a  way,  and  soon  it  was  evident 
that  each  had  found  "a  little  chore"  to  do  for  sweet 
charity's  sake.  Not  a  word  was  said  at  the  weekly 
meetings,  but  the  artless  faces  betrayed  all  shades  of 
hope,  discouragement,  pride,  and  doubt,  as  their  various 
attempts  seemed  likely  to  succeed  or  fail.  Much  curi 
osity  was  felt,  and  a  few  accidental  words,  hints,  or 
meetings  in  queer  places,  were  very  exciting,  though 
nothing  was  discovered. 

Marion  w7as  often  seen  in  a  North  End  car,  and 
Lizzie  in  a  South  End  car,  with  a  bag  of  books  and 
papers.  Ella  haunted  a  certain  shop  where  fancy  arti 
cles  were  sold,  and  Ida  always  brought  plain  sewing 
to  the  club.  Maggie  seemed  very  busy  at  home,  and 
Anna  was  found  writing  industriously  several  times 
when  one  of  her  friends  called.  All  seemed  very  happy, 
and  rather  important  when  outsiders  questioned  them 
about  their  affairs.  But  they  had  their  pleasures  as 
usual,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  them  with  an  added  relish, 
as  if  they  realized  as  never  before  how  many  blessings 
they  possessed,  and  were  grateful  for  them. 

So  the  winter  passed,  and  slowly  something  new  and 
pleasant  seemed  to  come  into  the  lives  of  these  young 
girls.  The  listless,  discontented  look  some  of  them 
used  to  wear  passed  away  :  a  sweet  earnestness  and 
a  cheerful  activity  made  them  charming,  though  they 
did  not  know  it,  and  wondered  when  people  said,  "  That 
set  of  girls  are  growing  up  beautifully;  they  will  make 
fine  women  by  and  by."  The  mayflowers  were  bud 
ding  under  the  snow,  and  as  spring  came  on  the  fresh 


MAY   FLOWERS.  9 

perfume  began  to  steal  out,  the  rosy  faces  to  brighten, 
and  the  last  year's  dead  leaves  to  fall  away,  leaving 
the  young  plants  green  and  strong. 

On  the  15th  of  May  the  club  met  for  the  last  time 
that  year,  as  some  left  town  early,  and  all  were  full  of 
spring  work  and  summer  plans.  Every  member  was 
in  her  place  at  an  unusually  early  hour  that  day,  and 
each  wore  an  air  of  mingled  anxiety,  expectation,  and 
satisfaction,  pleasant  to  behold.  Anna  called  them  to 
order  with  three  raps  of  her  thimble  and  a  beaming 
smile. 

"  We  need  not  choose  a  book  for  our  reading  to-day, 
as  each  of  us  is  to  contribute  an  original  history  of  her 
winter's  work.  I  know  it  will  be  very  interesting,  and 
I  hope  more  instructive,  than  some  of  the  novels  we 
have  read.  Who  shall  begin  1 " 

"  You  !  you  ! "  was  the  unanimous  answer ;  for  all 
loved  £ind  respected  her  very  much,  and  felt  that  their 
presiding  officer  should  open  the  ball. 

Anna  colored  modestly,  but  surprised  her  friends 
by  the  composure  with  which  she  related  her  little 
story,  quite  as  if  used  to  public  speaking. 

"You  know  I  told  you  last  November  that  I  should 
have  to  look  about  for  something  that  I  could  do.  I 
did  look  a  long  time,  and  was  rather  in  despair,  when 
my  task  came  to  me  in  the  most  unexpected  way.  Our 
winter  work  was  being  done,  so  I  had  a  good  deal  of 
shopping  on  my  hands,  and  found  it  less  a  bore  than 
usual,  because  I  liked  to  watch  the  shop  girls,  and 
wish  I  dared  ask  some  of  them  if  I  could  help  them. 
I  went  often  to  get  trimmings  and  buttons  at  Cotton's, 


10  A    GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

and  had  a  good  deal  to  do  with  the  two  girls  at  that 
counter.  They  were  very  obliging  and  patient  about 
matching  some  jet  ornaments  for  Mamma,  and  I  found 
out  that  their  names  were  Mary  and  Maria  Porter.  I 
liked  them,  for  they  were  very  neat  and  plain  in  their 
dress,  —  not  like  some,  who  seem  to  think  that  if  their 
waists  are  small,  and  their  hair  dressed  in  the  fashion, 
it  is  no  matter  how  soiled  their  collars  are,  nor  how 
untidy  their  nails.  Well,  one  day  when  I  went  for 
certain  kinds  of  buttons  which  were  to  be  made  for  us, 
Maria,  the  younger  one,  who  took  the  order,  was  not 
there.  I  asked  for  her,  and  Mary  said  she  was  at 
home  with  a  lame  knee.  I  was  so  sorry,  and  ventured 
to  put  a  few  questions  in  a  friendly  way.  Mary  seemed 
glad  to  tell  her  troubles,  and  I  found  that  '  Kia,'  as 
she  called  her  sister,  had  been  suffering  for  a  long 
time,  but  did  not  complain  for  fear  of  losing  her  place. 
No  stools  are  allowed  at  Cotton's,  so  the  poor  girls 
stand  nearly  all  day,  or  rest  a  minute  now  and  then 
on  a  half-opened  drawer.  I  'd  seen  Maria  doing  it,  and 
wondered  why  some  one  did  not  make  a  stir  about 
seats  in  this  place,  as  they  have  in  other  stores  and 
got  stools  for  the  shop  women.  I  did  n't  dare  to 
speak  to  the  gentlemen,  but  I  gave  Mary  the  Jack 
roses  I  wore  in  my  breast,  and  asked  if  I  might  take 
some  books  or  flowers  to  poor  Maria.  It  was  lovely 
to  see  her  sad  face  light  up  and  hear  her  thank  me 
when  I  went  to  see  her,  for  she  was  very  lonely  with 
out  her  sister,  and  discouraged  about  her  place.  She 
did  not  lose  it  entirely,  but  had  to  work  at  home,  for 
her  lame  knee  will  be  a  long  time  in  getting  well.  1 


MAY    FLOWERS.  11 

begged  Mamma  and  Mrs.  Allingbam  to  speak  to  Mr. 
Cotton  for  her ;  so  she  got  the  mending  of  the  jet  and 
bead  work  to  do,  and  buttons  to  cover,  and  things  of 
that  sort.  Mary  takes  them  to  and  fro,  and  Maria  feels 
so  happy  not  to  be  idle.  We  also  got  stools  for  all  the 
other  girls  in  that  shop.  Mrs.  Allingham  is  so  rich 
and  kind  she  can  do  anything,  and  now  it 's  such  a 
comfort  to  see  those  tired  things  resting  when  off  duty 
that  I  often  go  in  and  enjoy  the  sight." 

Anna  paused  as  cries  of  "  Good  !  good  ! "  interrupted 
her  tale ;  but  she  did  not  add  the  prettiest  part  of  it, 
and  tell  how  the  faces  of  the  young  women  behind  the 
counters  brightened  when  she  came  in,  nor  how  gladly 
all  served  the  young  lady  who  showed  them  what  a 
true  gentlewoman  was. 

"I  hope  that  is  n't  alii"  said  Maggie,  eagerly. 

"  Only  a  little  more.  I  know  you  will  laugh  when 
I  tell  you  that  I  've  been  reading  papers  to  a  class  of 
shop  girls  at  the  Union  once  a  week  all  winter." 

A  murmur  of  awe  and  admiration  greeted  this  deeply 
interesting  statement ;  for,  true  to  the  traditions  of  the 
modern  Athens  in  which  they  lived,  the  girls  all  felt 
the  highest  respect  for  "papers"  on  any  subject,  it 
being  the  fashion  for  ladies,  old  and  young,  to  read 
and  discuss  every  subject,  from  pottery  to  Pantheism, 
at  the  various  clubs  all  over  the  city. 

"  It  came  about  very  naturally,"  continued  Anna,  as 
if  anxious  to  explain  her  seeming  audacity.  "I  used 
to  go  to  see  Molly  and  Ria,  and  heard  all  about  their 
life  arid  its  few  pleasures,  and  learned  to  like  them 
more  and  more.  They  had  only  each  other  in  the 


12  A  GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

world,  lived  in  two  rooms,  worked  all  day,  and  in  tho 
way  of  amusement  or  instruction  had  only  what  they 
found  at  the  Union  in  the  evening.  I  went  with  them 
a  few  times,  and  saw  how  useful  and  pleasant  it  was, 
and  wanted  to  help,  as  other  kind  girls  only  a  little 
older  than  I  did.  Eva  Randal  read  a  letter  from  a 
friend  in  Russia  one  time,  and  the  girls  enjoyed  it  very 
much.  That  reminded  me  of  my  brother  George's 
lively  journals,  written  when  he  was  abroad.  You 
remember  how  we  used  to  laugh  over  them  when  he 
sent  them  home  1  Well,  when  I  was  begged  to  give 
them  an  evening,  I  resolved  to  try  one  of  those  amus 
ing  journal-letters,  and  chose  the  best,  —  all  about  how 
George  and  a  friend  went  to  the  different  places  Dickens 
describes  in  some  of  his  funny  books.  I  wish  you  could 
have  seen  how  those  dear  girls  enjoyed  it,  and  laughed 
till  they  cried  over  the  dismay  of  the  boys,  when  they 
knocked  at  a  door  in  Kingsgate  Street,  and  asked  if 
Mrs.  Gamp  lived  there.  It  was  actually  a  barber's 
shop,  and  a  little  man,  very  like  Poll  Sweedlepipes, 
told  them  '  Mrs.  Britton  was  the  nuss  as  lived  there 
now.'  It  upset  those  rascals  to  come  so  near  the  truth, 
and  they  ran  away  because  they  could  n't  keep  sober. 

The  members  of  the  club  indulged  in  a  general 
smile  as  they  recalled  the  immortal  Sairey  with  "  the 
bottle  on  the  mankle-shelf,"  the  "  cowcumber,"  and  the 
wooden  pippins.  Then  Anna  continued,  with  an  air 
of  calm  satisfaction,  quite  sure  now  of  her  audience 
and  herself, — 

"  It  was  a  great  success.  So  I  went  on,  and  when  the 
journals  were  done,  I  used  to  read  other  things,  and 


MAY    FLOWERS.  13 

picked  up  books  for  their  library,  and  helped  in  any 
way  I  could,  while  learning  to  know  them  better  and 
give  them  confidence  in  me.  They  are  proud  and  shy, 
just  as  we  should  be,  but  if  you  really  want  to  be  friends 
and  don't  mind  rebuffs  now  and  then,  they  come  to 
trust  and  like  you,  and  there  is  so  much  to  do  for  them 
one  never  need  sit  idle  any  more.  I  won't  give  names, 
as  they  don't  like  it,  nor  tell  how  I  tried  to  serve  them, 
but  it  is  very  sweet  and  good  for  me  to  have  found  this 
work,  and  to  know  that  each  year  I  can  do  it  better 
and  better.  So  I  feel  encouraged,  and  am  very  glad 
I  began,  as  I  hope  you  all  are.  Now,  who  comes 
next ] " 

As  Anna  ended,  the  needles  dropped  and  ten  soft 
hands  gave  her  a  hearty  round  of  applause ;  for  all 
felt  that  she  had  done  well,  and  chosen  a  task  espe 
cially  fitted  to  her  powers,  as  she  had  money,  time, 
tact,  and  the  winning  manners  that  make  friends 
everywhere. 

Beaming  with  pleasure  at  their  approval,  but  feeling 
that  they  made  too  much  of  her  small  success,  Anna 
called  the  club  to  order  by  saying,  "  Ella  looks  as  if 
she  were  anxious  to  tell  her  experiences,  so  perhaps 
we  had  better  ask  her  to  hold  forth  next." 

"  Hear  !  hear  !  "  cried  the  girls  ;  and,  nothing  loath, 
Ella  promptly  began,  with  twinkling  eyes  and  a  demure 
smile,  for  her  story  ended  romantically. 

"  If  you  are  interested  in  shop  girls,  Miss  President 
and  ladies,  you  will  like  to  know  that  /  am  one,  at 
least  a  silent  partner  and  co-worker  in  a  small  fancy 
store  at  the  West  End." 


14  A  GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  No  !  "  exclaimed  the  amazed  club  with  one  voice  ; 
and,  satisfied  with  this  sensational  beginning,  Ella 
went  on. 

"  I  really  am,  and  you  have  bought  some  of  my 
fancy-work.  Isn't  that  a  good  joke]  You  needn't 
stare  so,  for  I  actually  made  that  needle-book,  Anna,  and 
my  partner  knit  Lizzie's  new  cloud.  This  is  the  way 
it  all  happened.  I  did  n't  wish  to  waste  any  time,  but 
one  can't  rush  into  the  street  and  collar  shabby  little 
girls,  and  say,  '  Come  along  and  learn  to  sew,'  without 
a  struggle,  so  I  thought  I  'd  go  and  ask  Mrs.  Brown 
how  to  begin.  Her  branch  of  the  Associated  Charities 
is  in  Laurel  Street,  not  far  from  our  house,  you  know ; 
and  the  very  day  after  our  last  meeting  I  posted  off'  to 
get  my  '  chore.'  I  expected  to  have  to  fit  work  for 
poor  needlewomen,  or  go  to  see  some  dreadful  sick 
creature,  or  wash  dirty  little  Pats,  and  was  bracing  up 
my  mind  for  whatever  might  come,  as  I  toiled  up  the 
hill  in  a  gale  of  wind.  Suddenly  my  hat  flew  off  and 
went  gayly  skipping  away,  to  the  great  delight  of  some 
black  imps,  who  only  grinned  and  cheered  me  on  as  I 
trotted  after  it  with  wild  grabs  and  wrathful  dodges. 
I  got  it  at  last  out  of  a  puddle,  and  there  I  was  in  a 
nice  mess.  The  elastic  was  broken,  feather  wet,  and 
the  poor  thing  all  mud  and  dirt.  I  did  n't  care  much, 
as  it  was  my  old  one,  —  dressed  for  my  work,  you  see. 
But  I  could  n't  go  home  bareheaded,  and  I  did  n't 
know  a  soul  in  that  neighborhood.  I  turned  to  step 
into  a  grocery  store  at  the  corner,  to  borrow  a  brush 
or  buy  a  sheet  of  paper  to  wear,  for  I  looked  like  a 
lunatic  with  my  battered  hat  and  my  hair  in  a  perfe.cf 


MAY   FLOWERS.  15 

mop.  Luckily  I  spied  a  woman's  fancy  shop  on  the 
other  corner,  and  rushed  in  there  to  hide  myself,  for 
the  brats  hooted  and  people  stared.  It  was  a  very 
small  shop,  and  behind  the  counter  sat  a  tall,  thin, 
washed-out-looking  woman,  making  a  baby's  hood. 
She  looked  poor  and  blue  and  rather  sour,  but  took 
pity  on  me  ;  and  while  she  sewed  the  cord,  dried  the 
feather,  and  brushed  off  the  dirt,  I  warmed  myself 
and  looked  about  to  see  what  I  could  buy  in  return  for 
her  trouble. 

"  A  few  children's  aprons  hung  in  the  little  window, 
with  some  knit  lace,  balls,  and  old-fashioned  garters, 
two  or  three  dolls,  and  a  very  poor  display  of  small 
wares.  In  a  show-case,  however,  on  the  table  that 
was  the  counter,  I  found  some  really  pretty  things, 
made  of  plush,  silk,  and  ribbon,  with  a  good  deal  of 
taste.  So  I  said  I  'd  buy  a  needle -book,  and  a  gay  ball, 
and  a  pair  of  distracting  baby's  shoes,  made  to  look 
like  little  open-work  socks  with  pink  ankle-ties,  so 
cunning  and  dainty,  I  was  glad  to  get  them  for  Cousin 
Clara's  baby.  The  woman  seemed  pleased,  though  she 
had  a  grim  way  of  talking,  and  never  smiled  once.  I 
observed  that  she  handled  my  hat  as  if  used  to  such 
work,  and  evidently  liked  to  do  it.  I  thanked  her  for 
repairing  damages  so  quickly  and  well,  and  she  said, 
with  my  hat  on  her  hand,  as  if  she  hated  to  part  with 
it,  '  I  'm  used  to  millinaryin'  and  never  should  have 
give  it  up,  if  I  did  n't  have  my  folks  to  see  to.  I  took 
this  shop,  hopin'  to  make  things  go,  as  such  a  place 
was  needed  round  here,  but  mother  broke  down,  and 
is  a  sight  of  care  ;  so  I  could  n't  leave  her,  and  doctors 


16  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

is  expensive,  and  times  hard,  and  I  had  to  drop  my 
trade,  and  fall  back  on  pins  and  needles,  and  so  on.*" 

Ella  was  a  capital  mimic,  and  imitated  the  nasal 
tones  of  the  Vermont  woman  to  the  life,  with  a  doleful 
pucker  of  her  own  blooming  face,  which  gave  such  a 
truthful  picture  of  poor  Miss  Almira  Miller  that  those 
who  had  seen  her  recognized  it  at  once,  and  laughed 


"  Just  as  I  was  murmuring  a  few  words  of  regret  at 
her  bad  luck,"  continued  Ella,  "  a  sharp  voice  called 
out  from  a  back  room,  '  Almiry  !  Almiry  !  come  here.' 
It  sounded  very  like  a  cross  parrot,  but  it  was  the  old 
lady,  and  while  I  put  on  my  hat  I  heard  her  asking 
who  was  in  the  shop,  and  what  we  were  'gabbin'  about.' 
Her  daughter  told  her,  and  the  old  soul  demanded  to 
'  see  the  gal  ;'  so  I  went  in,  being  ready  for  fun  as  usual. 
It  was  a  little,  dark,  dismal  place,  but  as  neat  as  a  pin, 
and  in  the  bed  sat  a  regular  Grandma  Smallweed  smok 
ing  a  pipe,  with  a  big  cap,  a  snuff-box,  and  a  red  cotton 
handkerchief.  She  was  a  tiny,  dried-up  thing,  brown 
as  a  berry,  with  eyes  like  black  beads,  a  nose  and  chin 
that  nearly  met,  and  hands  like  birds'  claws.  But 
such  a  fierce,  lively,  curious,  blunt  old  lady  you  never 
saw,  and  I  did  n't  know  what  would  be  the  end  of  me 
when  she  began  to  question,  then  to  scold,  and  finally 
to  demand  that  'folks  should  come  and  trade  to  Almiry  's 
shop  after  promisin'  they  would,  and  she  havin'  took 
a  lease  of  the  place  on  account  of  them  lies.'  I  wanted 
to  laugh,  but  dared  not  do  it.  so  just  let  her  croak,  for 
the  daughter  had  to  go  to  her  customers.  The  old 
lady's  tirade  informed  me  that  they  came  from  Yer- 


MAY   FLOWERS.  17 

mont,  had  '  been  wal  on 't  till  father  died  and  the  farm 
was  sold/  Then  it  seems  the  women  came  to  Boston 
and  got  on  pretty  well  till  *  a  stroke  of  numb-palsy/ 
whatever  that  is,  made  the  mother  helpless  and  kept 
Almiry  at  home  to  care  for  her.  I  can't  tell  you  how 
funny  and  yet  how  sad  it  was  to  see  the  poor  old  soul,  so 
full  of  energy  and  yet  so  helpless,  and  the  daughter 
so  discouraged  with  her  pathetic  little  shop  and  no  cus 
tomers  to  speak  of.  I  did  not  know  what  to  say  till 
*  Grammer  Miller/  as  the  children  call  her,  happened  to 
say,  when  she  took  up  her  knitting  after  the  lecture, 
'  If  folks  who  go  spendin'  money  reckless  on  redic'lus 
toys  for  Christmas  only  knew  what  nice  things,  use 
ful  and  fancy,  me  and  Almiry  could  make  ef  we  had 
the  goods,  they  'd  jest  come  round  this  corner  and  buy 
'em,  and  keep  me  out  of  a  Old  Woman's  Home  and 
that  good,  hard-workin'  gal  of  mine  out  of  a  'sylum  ; 
for  go  there  she  will  ef  she  don't  get  a  boost  somehow, 
with  rent  and  nrin'  and  vittles  all  on  her  shoulders, 
and  me  only  able  to  wag  them  knittin'-needles.' 

"  '  I  will  buy  things  here,  and  tell  all  my  friends  about 
it,  and  I  have  a  drawer  full  of  pretty  bits  of  silk  and 
velvet  and  plush,  that  I  will  give  Miss  Miller  for  her 
work,  if  she  will  let  me.'  I  added  that,  for  I  saw 
that  Almiry  was  rather  proud,  and  hid  her  troubles 
under  a  grim  look. 

That  pleased  the  old  lady,  and,  lowering  her  voice, 
she  said,  with  a  motherly  sort  of  look  in  her  beady 
eyes  :  '  Seein'  as  you  are  so  friendly,  I  '11  tell  you  what 
frets  me  most,  a  layin'  here,  a  burden  to  my  darter. 
She  kep'  company  with  Nathan  Baxter,  a  master 
2 


18  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

carpenter  up  to  Westminster  where  we  lived,  and  ef 
father  had  n't  a  died  suddin'  they  'd  a  ben  married. 
They  waited  a  number  o'  years,  workin'  to  their  trades, 
and  we  was  hopin'  all  would  turn  out  wal,  when 
troubles  come,  and  here  we  be.  Nathan's  got  his 
own  folks  to  see  to,  and  Almiry  won't  add  to  his  load 
with  hern,  nor  leave  me;  so  she  give  him  back  his 
ring,  and  jest  buckled  to  all  alone.  She  don't  say  a 
word,  but  it 's  wearin'  her  to  a  shadder,  and  I  can't  do 
a  thing  to  help,  but  make  a  few  pin-balls,  knit  garters, 
and  kiver  holders.  Ef  she  got  a  start  in  business  it 
would  cheer  her  up  a  sight,  and  give  her  a  kind  of 
a  hopeful  prospeck,  for  old  folks  can't  live  forever, 
and  Nathan  is  a  waitin',  faithful  and  true.' 

"  That  just  finished  me,  for  I  am  romantic,  and  do 
enjoy  love  stories  with  all  my  heart,  even  if  the  lovers 
are  only  a  skinny  spinster  and  a  master  carpenter.  So 
I  just  resolved  to  see  what  I  could  do  for  poor  Almiry 
and  the  peppery  old  lady.  I  did  n't  promise  anything 
but  my  bits,  and,  taking  the  things  I  bought,  went  home 
to  talk  it  over  with  Mamma.  I  found  she  had  often  got 
pins  and  tape,  arid  such  small  wares,  at  the  little  shop, 
and  found  it  very  convenient,  though  she  knew  nothing 
about  the  Millers.  She  was  willing  I  should  help  if  I 
could,  but  advised  going  slowly,  and  seeing  what  they 
could  do  first.  We  did  not  dare  to  treat  them  like  beg 
gars,  and  send  them  money  and  clothes,  and  tea  and 
sugar,  as  we  do  the  Irish,  for  they  were  evidently  re 
spectable  people,  and  proud  as  poor.  So  I  took  my 
bundle  of  odds  and  ends,  and  Mamma  added  some  nice 
large  pieces  of  dresses  we  had  done  with,  and  gave  a 


MAY   FLOWERS.  19 

fine  order  for  aprons  and  holders  and  balls  for  our 
church  fair. 

"  It  would  have  done  your  hearts  good,  girls,  to  see 
those  poor  old  faces  light  up  as  I  showed  my  scraps, 
and  asked  if  the  work  would  be  ready  by  Christmas. 
G rammer  fairly  swam  in  the  gay  colors  I  strewed  over 
her  bed,  and  enjoyed  them  like  a  child,  while  Almiry 
tried  to  be  grim,  but  had  to  give  it  up,  as  she  began 
at  once  to  cut  out  aprons,  and  dropped  tears  all  over 
the  muslin  when  her  back  was  turned  to  me.  I  did  n't 
know  a  washed-out  old  maid  could  be  so  pathetic." 

Ella  stopped  to  give  a  regretful  sigh  over  her  past 
blindness,  while  her  hearers  made  a  sympathetic  mur 
mur;  for  young  hearts  are  very  tender,  and  take  an 
innocent  interest  in  lovers'  sorrows,  no  matter  how 
humble. 

"  Well,  that  was  the  beginning  of  it.  I  got  so  ab 
sorbed  in  making  things  go  well  that  I  did  n't  look  any 
further,  but  just  'buckled  to'  with  Miss  Miller  and 
helped  run  that  little  shop.  No  one  knew  me  in  that 
street,  so  I  slipped  in  and  out,  and  did  what  I  liked. 
The  old  lady  and  I  got  to  be  great  friends  ;  though  she 
often  pecked  and  croaked  like  a  cross  raven,  and  was 
very  wearing.  I  kept  her  busy  with  her  'pin-balls  and 
knittin'-work,'  and  supplied  Almiry  with  pretty  mate 
rials  for  the  various  things  I  found  she  could  make. 
You  would  n't  believe  what  dainty  bows  those  long 
fingers  could  tie,  what  ravishing  doll's  hats  she  would 
make  out  of  a  scrap  of  silk  and  lace,  or  the  ingenious 
things  she  concocted  with  cones  and  shells  and  fans  and 
baskets.  I  love  such  work,  and  used  to  go  and  help 


20  A    GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

her  often,  for  I  wanted  her  window  and  shop  to  bo 
full  for  Christmas,  and  lure  in  plenty  of  customers. 
Our  new  toys,  and  the  little  cases  of  sewing  silk  sold 
well,  and  people  began  to  come  more,  after  I  lent 
Almiry  some  money  to  lay  in  a  stock  of  better  goods. 
Papa  enjoyed  my  business  venture  immensely,  and  was 
never  tired  of  joking  about  it.  He  actually  went  and 
bought  balls  for  four  small  black  boys  who  were  gluing 
their  noses  to  the  window  one  day,  spellbound  by  the 
orange,  red,  and  blue  treasures  displayed  there.  He 
liked  my  partner's  looks,  though  he  teased  me  by  saying 
that  we  'd  better  add  lemonade  to  our  stock,  as  poor, 
dear  Almiry's  acid  face  would  make  lemons  unnecessary, 
and  sugar  and  water  were  cheap. 

**  Well,  Christmas  came,  and  we  did  a  great  busi- 
ne*s,  for  Mamma  came  and  sent  others,  and  our  fancy 
things  were  as  pretty  and  cheaper  than  those  at  the  art 
stores,  so  they  went  well,  and  the  Millers  were  cheered 
up,  and  I  felt  encouraged,  and  we  took  a  fresh  start 
after  the  holidays.  One  of  my  gifts  at  New  Year 
was  my  own  glove-case,  —  you  remember  the  apple- 
blossom  thing  I  began  last  autumn  1  I  put  it  in  our 
window  to  fill  up,  and  Mamma  bought  it,  and  gave  it 
to  me  full  of  elegant  gloves,  with  a  sweet  note,  and 
Papa  sent  a  check  to  'Miller,  "Warren,  &  Co.'  I  was 
so  pleased  and  proud  I  could  hardly  help  telling  you 
all.  But  the  best  joke  was  the  day  you  girls  came  in 
and  bought  our  goods,  and  I  peeped  at  you  through 
the  crack  of  the  door,  being  in  the  back  room  dying 
with  laughter  to  see  you  look  round,  and  praiso  our 
'nice  assortment  of  useful  and  pretty  articles.'  " 


MAY   FLOWERS.  21 

"  That 's  all  very  well,  and  we  can  bear  to  be  laughed 
at  if  you  succeeded,  Miss.  But  I  don't  believe  you  did, 
for  no  Millers  are  there  now.  Have  you  taken  a  pala 
tial  store  on  Boylston  Street  for  this  year,  intending  to 
run  it  alone  ?  We  '11  all  patronize  it,  and  your  name 
will  look  well  on  a  sign,''  said  Maggie,  wondering  what 
the  end  of  Ella's  experience  had  been. 

"  Ah  !  I  still  have  the  best  of  it,  for  my  romance  fin 
ished  up  delightfully,  as  you  shall  hear.  We  did  well 
all  winter,  and  no  wonder.  What  was  needed  was  a  little 
'boost'  in  the  right  direction,  and  I  could  give  it ;  so  my 
Millers  were  much  comforted,  and  we  were  good  friends. 
But  in  March  Grammer  died  suddenly,  and  poor  Almiry 
mourned  as  if  she  had  been  the  sweetest  mother  in  the 
world. .  The  old  lady's  last  wishes  were  to  be  *  laid 
out  harnsome  in  a  cap  with  a  pale  blue  satin  ribbin, 
white  was  n't  becomin',  to  hev  at  least  three  carriages 
to  the  funeral,  and  be  sure  a  paper  with  her  death  in 
it  was  sent  to  N.  Baxter,  Westminster,  Vermont.' 

"  I  faithfully  obeyed  her  commands,  put  on  the  ugly 
cap  myself,  gave  a  party  of  old  ladies  from  the  Home 
a  drive  in  the  hacks,  and  carefully  directed  a  marked 
paper  to  Nathan,  hoping  that  he  had  proved  '  faithful 
and  true.'  I  did  n't  expect  he  would,  so  was  not  sur 
prised  when  no  answer  came.  But  I  was  rather  amazed 
when  Almiry  told  me  she  did  n't  care  to  keep  on  with 
the  store  now  she  was  free.  She  wanted  to  visit  her 
friends  a  spell  this  spring,  and  in  the  fall  would  go 
back  to  her  trade  in  some  milliner's  store. 

"  I  was  sorry,  for  I  really  enjoyed  my  partnership. 
It  seemed  a  little  bit  ungrateful  after  all  my  trouble 


22  A  GARLAND  FOR  GIRLS. 

in  getting  her  customers,  but  I  did  n't  say  anything, 
and  we  sold  out  to  the  Widow  Bates,  who  is  a 
good  soul  with  six  children,  and  will  profit  by  our 
efforts. 

"Almiry  bid  me  good-by  with  all  the  grim  look 
gone  out  of  her  face,  many  thanks,  and  a  hearty  promise 
to  write  soon.  That  was  in  April.  A  week  ago  I  got 
a  short  letter  saying,  — 

"'DEAR  FRIEND,  —  You  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that 
I  am  married  to  Mr.  Baxter,  and  shall  remain  here.  He 
was  away  when  the  paper  came  with  mother's  death,  but  as 
soon  as  he  got  home  he  wrote.  I  could  n't  make  up  my 
mind  till  I  got  home  and  see  him.  Now  it 's  all  right,  and 
I  am  very  happy.  Many  thanks  for  all  you  done  for  me 
and  mother.  I  shall  never  forget  it.  My  husband  sends 
respects,  and  I  remain 

Yours  gratefully, 

ALMIRA  M.  BAXTER.'" 

"  That 's  splendid  !  You  did  well,  and  next  winter 
you  can  look  up  another  sour  spinster  and  cranky  old 
lady  and  make  them  happy,"  said  Anna,  with  the 
approving  smile  all  loved  to  receive  from  her. 

"  My  adventures  are  not  a  bit  romantic,  or  even  in 
teresting,  and  yet  I've  been  as  busy  as  a  bee  all  winter, 
and  enjoyed  my  work  very  much,"  began  Elizabeth,  as 
the  President  gave  her  a  nod. 

"  The  plan  I  had  in  mind  was  to  go  and  carry  books 
and  papers  to  the  people  in  hospitals,  as  one  of  Mam 
ma's  friends  has  done  for  years.  I  went  once  to  the 
City  Hospital  with  her,  and  it  was  very  interesting,  but 


MAY  FLOWERS.  23 

I  did  n't  dare  to  go  to  the  grown  people  all  alone,  so  I 
went  to  the  Children's  Hospital,  and  soon  loved  to 
help  amuse  the  poor  little  dears.  I  saved  all  the  pic 
ture-books  and  papers  I  could  find  for  them,  dressed 
dolls,  and  mended  toys,  and  got  new  ones,  and  made 
bibs  and  night-gcwns,  and  felt  like  the  mother  of  a 
large  family. 

'•  I  had  my  pets,  of  course,  and  did  my  best  for  them, 
reading  and  singing  and  amusing  them,  for  many  suf 
fered  very  much.  One  little  girl  was  so  dreadfully 
burned  she  could  not  use  her  hands,  and  would  lie  and 
look  at  a  gay  dolly  tied  to  the  bedpost  by  the  hour 
together,  and  talk  to  it  and  love  it,  and  died  with  it  on 
her  pillow  when  I  '  sung  lullaby  '  to  her  for  the  last 
time.  I  keep  it  among  my  treasures,  for  I  learned  a 
lesson  in  patience  from  little  Norah  that  I  never  can 
forget. 

"  Then  Jimmy  Dolan  with  hip  disease  was  a  great 
delight  to  me,  for  he  was  as  gay  as  a  lark  in  spite  of 
pain,  and  a  real  little  hero  in  the  way  he  bore  the  hard 
things  that  had  to  be  done  to  him.  He  never  can  get 
well,  and  he  is  at  home  now  ;  but  I  still  see  to  him,  and 
he  is  learning  to  make  toy  furniture  very  nicely,  so 
that  by-and-by,  if  he  gets  able  to  work  at  all,  he  may 
be  able  to  learn  a  cabinet-maker's  trade,  or  some  easy 
work. 

"  But  my  pet  of  pets  was  Johnny,  the  blind  boy.  His 
poor  eyes  had  to  be  taken  out,  and  there  he  was  left  so 
helpless  and  pathetic,  all  his  life  before  him,  and  no 
one  to  help  him,  for  his  people  were  poor  and  he  had 
to  go  away  from  the  hospital  since  he  was  incurable. 


24  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

He  seemed  almost  given  to  me,  for  the  first  time  I  saw 
him  I  was  singing  to  Jimmy,  when  the  door  opened 
and  a  small  boy  came  fumbling  in. 

" '  I  hear  a  pretty  voice,  I  want  to  find  it,'  ho 
said,  stopping  as  I  stopped  with  both  hands  out  as  if 
begging  for  more. 

"  '  Come  on,  Johnny,  and  the  lady  will  sing  to  you 
like  a  bobolink,'  called  Jimmy,  as  proud  as  Barnuin 
showing  off  Jumbo. 

"  The  poor  little  thing  came  and  stood  at  my  knee, 
without  stirring,  while  I  sang  all  the  nursery  jingles  I 
knew.  Then  he  put  such  a  thin  little  finger  on  my 
lips  as  if  to  feel  where  the  music  came  from,  and  said, 
smiling  all  over  his  white  face,  'More,  please  more, 
lots  of  'em  !  I  love  it ! ' 

"  So  I  sang  away  till  I  was  as  hoarse  as  a  crow,  and 
Johnny  drank  it  all  in  like  water ;  kept  time  with  his 
head,  stamped  when  I  gave  him  'Marching  through 
Georgia,'  and  hurrahed  feebly  in  the  chorus  of  '  Red, 
White,  and  Blue.'  It  was  lovely  to  see  how  he  enjoyed 
it,  and  I  was  so  glad  I  had  a  voice  to  comfort  those  poor 
babies  with.  He  cried  when  I  had  to  go,  and  so  touched 
rny  heart  that  I  asked  all  about  him,  and  resolved  to 
get  hirn  into  the  Blind  School  as  the  only  place  where 
ha  could  be  taught  and  made  happy." 

"  I  thought  you  were  bound  there  the  day  I  met 
you,  Lizzie ;  but  you  looked  as  solemn  as  if  all  your 
friends  had  lost  their  sight,"  cried  Marion. 

"  I  did  feel  solemn,  for  if  Johnny  could  not  go  there 
he  would  be  badly  off.  Fortunately  he  was  ten,  and 
dear  Mrs.  Eussell  helped  me,  and  those  good  people 


The  poor  little  thing  came  and  stood  at  my  knee."  --  PAGE  24. 


MAY    FLOWERS.  25 

took  him  in  though  they  were  crowded.  '  We  cannot 
turn  one  away,'  said  kind  Mr.  Parpatharges. 

"  So  there  my  boy  is,  as  happy  as  a  king  with  his 
little  mates,  learning  all  sorts  of  useful  lessons  and  pretty 
plays.  He  models  nicely  in  clay.  Here  is  one  of  his 
little  works.  Could  you  do  as  well  without  eyes  1  " 
and  Lizzie  proudly  produced  a  very  one-sided  pear  with 
a  long  straw  for  a  stem.  "I  don't  expect  he  will  ever 
be  a  sculptor,  but  I  hope  he  will  do  something  with 
mnsic  he  loves  it  so,  and  is  already  piping  away  on  a 
fife  very  cleverly.  Whatever  his  gift  may  prove,  if 
he  lives,  he  will  be  taught  to  be  a  useful,  independent 
man,  not  a  helpless  burden,  nor  an  unhappy  creature 
sitting  alone  in  the  dark.  I  feel  very  happy  about 
my  lads,  and  am  surprised  to  find  how  well  I  get  on 
with  them.  I  shall  look  up  some  more  next  year,  for 
I  really  think  I  have  quite  a  gift  that  way,  though  you 
would  n't  expect  it,  as  I  have  no  brothers,  and  always 
had  a  fancy  boys  were  little  imps." 

The  girls  were  much  amused  at  Lizzie's  discovery  of 
her  own  powers,  for  she  was  a  stately  damsel,  who  never 
indulged  in  romps,  but  lived  for  her  music.  Now  it  was 
evident  that  she  had  found  the  key  to  unlock  childish 
hearts,  and  was  learning  to  use  it,  quite  unconscious 
that  the  sweet  voice  she  valued  so  highly  was  much 
improved  by  the  tender  tones  singing  lullabies  gave  it. 
The  fat  pear  was  passed  round  like  refreshments,  re 
ceiving  much  praise  and  no  harsh  criticism ;  and  when 
it  was  safely  returned  to  its  proud  possessor,  Ida  began 
her  tale  in  a  lively  tone. 

"  I  waited  for  my  chore,  and  it  came  tumbling  down 


26  A  GARLAND   FOB   GIRLS. 

our  basement  steps  one  rainy  day  in  the  shape  of  a 
large  dilapidated  umbrella  with  a  pair  of  small  boots 
below  it.  A  mild  howl  made  me  run  to  open  the  door, 
for  I  was  at  lunch  in  the  dining-room,  all  alone,  and 
rather  blue  because  I  could  n't  go  over  to  see  Ella. 
A  very  small  girl  lay  with  her  head  in  a  puddle  at  the 
foot  of  the  steps,  the  boots  waving  in  the  air,  and  the 
umbrella  brooding  over  her  like  a  draggled  green  bird. 

"  '  Are  you  hurt,  child  T  said  I. 

"  '  No,  I  thank  you,  ma'am,'  said  the  mite  quite 
calmly,  as  she  sat  up  and  settled  a  woman's  shabby 
black  hat  on  her  head. 

"  '  Did  you  come  begging  1 '  I  asked. 

"  '  No,  ma'am,  I  came  for  some  things  Mrs.  Grover  's 
got  for  us.  She  told  me  to.  I  don't  beg.'  And  up 
rose  the  sopping  thing  with  great  dignity. 

"  So  I  asked  her  to  sit  down,  and  ran  up  to  call  Mrs. 
Grover.  She  was  busy  with  Grandpa  just  then,  and 
when  I  went  back  to  my  lunch  there  sat  my  lady  with 
her  arms  folded,  water  dripping  out  of  the  toes  of  her 
old  boots  as  they  hung  down  from  the  high  chair,  and 
iis  biggest  blue  eyes  I  ever  saw  fixed  upon  the  cake 
and  oranges  on  the  table.  I  gave  her  a  piece,  and  she 
sighed  with  rapture,  but  only  picked  at  it  till  I  asked 
if  she  didn't  like  it. 

"  '  Oh  yes,  'm,  it 's  elegant !  Only  I  was  wishin'  I 
could  take  it  to  Caddy  and  Tot,  if  you  did  n't  mind. 
They  never  had  frostin'  in  all  their  lives,  and  I  did 
once.' 

"  Of  course  I  put  up  a  little  basket  of  cake  and  or 
anges  and  figs,  and  while  Lotty  feasted,  we  talked.  I 


MAY   FLOWERS.  27 

found  that  their  mother  washed  dishes  all  day  in  a  res 
taurant  over  by  the  Albany  Station,  leaving  the  three 
children  alone  in  the  room  they  have  on  Berry  Street. 
Think  of  that  poor  thing  going  off  before  light  these 
winter  mornings  to  stand  over  horrid  dishes  all  day 
long,  and  those  three  scraps  of  children  alone  till  night ' 
Sometimes  they  had  a  fire,  and  when  they  had  n't  they 
stayed  in  bed.  Broken  food  and  four  dollars  a  week  was 
all  the  woman  got,  and  on  that  they  tried  to  live.  Good 
Mrs.  G rover  happened  to  be  nursing  a  poor  soul  neat 
Berry  Street  last  summer,  and  used  to  see  the  three 
littie  things  trailing  round  the  streets  with  no  one  to 
look  after  them. 

"  Lotty  is  nine,  though  she  looks  about  six,  but  is  as 
old  as  most  girls  of  fourteen,  and  takes  good  care  of  '  the 
babies,'  as  she  calls  the  younger  ones.  Mrs.  Grover 
went  to  see  them,  and,  though  a  hard-working  creature, 
did  all  she  could  for  them.  This  winter  she  has  plenty 
of  time  to  sew,  for  Grandpapa  needs  little  done  for 
him  except  at  night  and  morning,  and  that  kind  woman 
spent  her  own  money,  and  got  warm  flannel  and  cotton 
and  stuff,  and  made  each  child  a  good  suit.  Lotty 
had  come  for  hers,  and  when  the  bundle  was  in  her 
arms  she  hugged  it  close,  and  put  up  her  little  face  to 
kiss  Grover  so  prettily,  I  felt  that  I  wanted  to  do  some 
thing  too.  So  I  hunted  up  Min's  old  waterproof  and 
rubbers,  and  a  hood,  and  sent  Lotty  home  as  happy 
as  a  queen,  promising  to  go  and  see  her.  I  did  go,  and 
there  was  my  work  all  ready  for  me.  Oh,  girls  !  such 
a  bare,  cold  room,  without  a  spark  of  fire,  and  no  food 
but  a  pan  of  bits  of  pie  and  bread  and  meat,  not  fit  for 


28  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

any  one  to  eat,  and  in  the  bed,  with  an  old  carpet  for 
cover,  lay  the  three  children.  Tot  and  Caddy  cuddled 
in  the  warmest  place,  while  Lotty,  with  her  little  blue 
hands,  was  trying  to  patch  up  some  old  stockings  with 
bits  of  cotton.  I  did  n't  know  how  to  begin,  but  Lotty 
did,  and  I  just  took  her  orders;  for  that  wise  little 
woman  told  me  where  to  buy  a  bushel  of  coal  and 
some  kindlings,  and  milk  and  meal,  and  all  I  wanted. 
I  worked  like  a  beaver  for  an  hour  or  two,  and  was 
so  glad  I  'd  been  to  a  cooking-class,  for  I  could  make 
a  fire,  with  Lotty  to  do  the  grubby  part,  and  start  a 
nice  soup  with  the  cold  meat  and  potatoes,  and  an 
onion  or  so.  Soon  the  room  was  warm,  and  full  of  a 
nice  smell,  and  out  of  bed  tumbled  'the  babies,'  to 
dance  round  the  stove  and  sniff  at  the  soup,  and  drink 
milk  like  hungry  kittens,  till  I  could  get  bread  and 
butter  ready. 

li  It  was  great  fun !  and  when  we  had  cleared  things 
up  a  bit,  and  I  'd  put  food  for  supper  in  the  closet, 
and  told  Lotty  to  warm  a  bowl  of  soup  for  her  mother 
and  keep  the  fire  going,  I  went  home  tired  and  dirty, 
but  very  glad  I  'd  found  something  to  do.  It  is  per 
fectly  amazing  how  little  poor  people's  things  cost,  and 
yet  they  can't  get  the  small  amount  of  money  needed 
without  working  themselves  to  death.  Why,  all  I 
bought  did  n't  cost  more  than  I  often  spend  for  flowers, 
or  theatre  tickets,  or  lunches,  and  it  made  those  poor 
babies  so  comfortable  I  could  have  cried  to  think  I  'd 
never  done  it  before." 

Ida  paused  to  shake  her  head  remorsefully,  then  went 
on  with  her  story,  sewing  busily  all  the  while  on  an 


MAY    FLOWEHS.  29 

unbleached  cotton  night-gown  which  looked  about  fit 
for  a  large  doll. 

"  I  have  no  romantic  things  to  tell,  for  poor  Mrs. 
Kennedy  was  a  shiftless,  broken-down  woman,  who 
could  only  'sozzle  round,'  as  Mrs.  Grover  said,  and 
rub  along  with  help  from  any  one  who  would,  lend  a 
hand.  She  had  lived  out,  married  young,  and  had  no 
faculty  about  anything;  so  when  her  husband  died,  and 
she  was  left  with  three  little  children,  it  was  hard  to 
get  on,  with  no  trade,  feeble  health,  and  a  discouraged 
mind.  She  does  her  best,  loves  the  girls,  and  works 
havd  at  the  only  thing  she  can  find  to  do ;  but  when  she 
gives  out,  they  will  all  have  to  part,  —  she  to  a  hospi 
tal,  and  the  babies  to  some  home.  She  dreads  that, 
and  tugs  away,  trying  to  keep  together  and  get  ahead. 
Thanks  to  Mrs.  Grover,  who  is  very  sensible,  and 
knows  how  to  help  poor  people,  we  have  made  things 
comfortable,  and  the  winter  has  gone  nicely. 

"  The  mother  has  got  work  nearer  home,  Lotty  and 
Caddy  go  to  school,  and  Tot  is  safe  and  warm,  with 
Miss  Parsons  to  look  after  her.  Miss  Parsons  is  a 
young  woman  who  was  freezing  and  starving  in  a  little 
room  upstairs,  too  proud  to  beg  and  too  shy  and  sick  to 
get  much  work.  I  found  her  warming  her  hands  one 
day  in  Mrs.  Kennedy's  room,  and  hanging  over  the  soup- 
pot  as  if  she  was  eating  the  smell.  It  reminded  me  of 
the  picture  in  Punch  where  the  two  beggar  boys  look  in 
at  a  kitchen,  sniffing  at  the  nice  dinner  cooking  there. 
One  says,  '  I  don't  care  for  the  meat,  Bill,  but  I  don't 
mind  if  I  takes  a  smell  at  the  pudd'n'  when  it 's  dished.' 
I  proposed  a  lunch  at  once,  and  we  all  sat  down,  and  ate 


30  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

soup  out  of  yellow  bowls  with  pewter  spoons  with  such 
a  relish  it  was  fun  to  see.  I  had  on  my  old  rig;  so  poo:r 
Parsons  thought  I  was  some  dressmaker  or  work -girl, 
and  opened  her  heart  to  me  as  she  never  would  have 
done  if  I  'd  gone  and  demanded  her  confidence,  and 
patronized  her,  as  some  people  do  when  they  want  to 
help.  I  promised  her  some  work,  and  proposed  that  she 
should  do  it  in  Mrs.  K.'s  room,  as  a  favor,  mind  you,  so 
that  the  older  girls  could  go  to  school  and  Tot  have 
some  one  to  look  after  her.  She  agreed,  and  that  saved 
her  fire,  and  made  the  K'.s  all  right.  Sarah  (that's  Miss 
P.)  tried  to  stiffen  up  when  she  learned  where  I  lived ; 
but  she  wanted  the  work,  and  soon  found  I  did  n't  put 
on  airs,  but  lent  her  books,  and  brought  her  and  Tot 
iny  bouquets  and  favors  after  a  german,  and  told  her 
pleasant  things  as  she  sat  cooking  her  poor  chilblainy 
feet  in  the  oven,  as  if  she  never  could  get  thawed  out. 

"  This  summer  the  whole  batch  are  to  go  to  Uncle 
Frank's  farm  and  pick  berries,  and  get  strong.  He 
hires  dozens  of  women  and  children  during  the  fruit 
season,  and  Mrs.  Grover  said  it  was  just  what  they  all 
needed.  So  off  they  go  in  June,  as  merry  as  grigs,  and 
I  shall  be  able  to  look  after  them  now  and  then,  as  I 
always  go  to  the  farm  in  July.  That 's  all,  —  not  a  bit 
interesting,  but  it  came  to  me,  and  I  did  it,  though 
only  a  small  chore." 

"  I  *m  sure  the  helping  of  five  poor  souls  is  a  fine 
work,  and  you  may  well  be  proud  of  it,  Ida.  Now  I 
know  why  you  would  n't  go  to  matinees  with  me,  and 
buy  every  pretty  thing  we  saw  as  you  used  to.  The 
pocket  money  went  for  coal  and  food,  and  your  fancy 


MAY  FLOWERS.  31 

work  was  little  clothes  for  these  live  dolls  of  yours. 
You  dear  thing  !  how  good  you  were  to  cook,  and  grub, 
and  prick  your  fingers  rough,  and  give  up  fun,  for  this 
kind  work !  " 

Maggie's  hearty  kiss,  and  the  faces  of  her  friends, 
made  Ida  feel  that  her  humble  task  had  its  worth  hi 
their  eyes,  as  well  as  in  her  own ;  and  when  the  others 
had  expressed  their  interest  in  her  work,  all  composed 
themselves  to  hear  what  Marion  had  to  tell. 

"  I  have  been  taking  care  of  a  scarlet  runner,  —  a 
poor  old  frost-bitten,  neglected  thing ;  it  is  transplanted 
now,  and  doing  well,  I  'ni  happy  to  say." 

"  What  do  you  mean  3 "  asked  Ella,  while  the  rest 
looked  very  curious. 

Marion  picked  up  a  dropped  stitch  in  the  large  blue 
sock  she  was  knitting,  and  continued,  with  a  laugh  in 
her  eyes :  "  My  dears,  that  is  what  we  call  the  Sol 
diers'  Messenger  Corps,  with  their  red  caps  and  busy 
legs  trotting  all  day.  I  've  had  one  of  them  to  care 
for,  and  a  gorgeous  time  of  it,  I  do  assure  you.  But 
before  I  exult  over  my  success,  I  must  honestly  con 
fess  my  failures,  for  they  were  sad  ones.  I  was  so  anx 
ious  to  begin  my  work  at  once,  that  I  did  go  out  and 
collar  the  first  pauper  I  saw.  It  was  an  old  man,  who 
sometimes  stands  at  the  corners  of  streets  to  sell 
bunches  of  ugly  paper  flowers.  You  've  seen  him,  I 
dare  say,  and  his  magenta  daisies  and  yellow  peonies. 
Well,  he  was  rather  a  forlorn  object,  with  his  poor  old 
red  nose,  and  bleary  eyes,  and  white  hair,  standing  at 
the  windy  corners  silently  holding  out  those  horrid 
flowers.  I  bought  all  he  had  that  day,  and  gave  them 


32  A   GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

to  some  colored  children  on  my  way  home,  and  told 
him  to  come  to  our  house  and  get  an  old  coat  Mamma 
was  waiting  to  get  rid  of.  He  told  a  pitiful  story  of 
himself  and  his  old  wife,  who  made  the  paper  horrors 
in  her  bed,  and  how  they  needed  everything,  but 
didn't  wish  to  beg.  I  was  much  touched,  and  flew 
home  to  look  up  the  coat  and  some  shoes,  and  when 
my  old  Lear  came  creeping  in  the  back  way,  I  ordered 
cook  to  give  him  a  warm  dinner  and  something  nice 
for  the  old  woman. 

"I  was  called  upstairs  while  he  was  mumbling  his 
food,  and  blessing  me  in  the  most  lovely  manner ;  and 
he  went  away  much  comforted,  I  flattered  myself. 
But  an  hour  later,  up  came  the  cook  in  a  great  panic 
to  report  that  my  venerable  and  pious  beggar  had  car 
ried  off  several  of  Papa's  shirts  and  pairs  of  socks  out 
of  the  clothes-basket  in  the  laundry,  and  the  nice  warm 
hood  we  keep  for  the  girl  to  hang  out  clothes  in. 

"  I  was  very  angry,  and,  taking  Harry  with  me,  went 
at  once  to  the  address  the  old  rascal  gave  me,  a  dirty 
court  out  of  Hanover  Street.  No  such  person  had 
ever  lived  there,  and  my  white-haired  saint  was  a  hum 
bug.  Harry  laughed  at  me,  and  Mamma  forbade  me 
to  bring  any  more  thieves  to  the  house,  and  the  girls 
scolded  awfully. 

"  Well,  I  recovered  from  the  shock,  and,  nothing 
daunted,  went  off  to  the  little  Irishwoman  who  sells 
apples  on  the  Common,  —  not  the  fat,  cosey  one  with 
the  stall  near  West  Street,  but  the  dried-up  one  who  sits 
by  the  path,  nodding  over  an  old  basket  with  six  apples 
and  four  sticks  of  candy  in  it.  No  one  ever  seems  to 


MAY   FLOWERS.  33 

buy  anything,  but  she  sits  there  and  trusts  to  kind 
souls  dropping  a  dime  now  and  then,  she  looks  so  feeble 
and  forlorn,  '  on  the  cold,  cold  ground.' 

"  She  told  me  another  sad  tale  of  being  all  alone 
and  unable  to  work,  and  '  as  wake  as  wather-grewl, 
without  a  hap-worth  av  flesh  upon  me  bones,  and  for 
the  love  of  Heaven  gimme  a  thrifle  to  kape  the  breath 
av  loife  in  a  poor  soul,  with  a  bitter  hard  winter  over 
me,  and  niver  a  chick  or  child  to  do  a  hand's  turn/  I 
had  n't  much  faith  in  her,  remembering  my  other  hum 
bug,  but  I  did  pity  the  old  mummy;  so  I  got  some  tea 
and  sugar,  and  a  shawl,  and  used  to  give  her  my  odd 
pennies  as  I  passed.  I  never  told  at  home,  they  made 
such  fun  of  my  efforts  to  be  charitable.  I  thought  I 
really  was  getting  on  pretty  well  after  a  time,  as  my 
old  Biddy  seemed  quite  cheered  up,  and  I  wras  planning 
to  give  her  some  coal,  when  she  disappeared  all  of  a 
sudden.  I  feared  she  was  ill,  and  asked  Mrs.  Maloney, 
the  fat  woman,  about  her. 

"  'Lord  love  ye,  Miss  dear,  it 's  tuk  up  and  sint  to 
the  Island  for  tree  months  she  is ;  for  a  drunken  ould 
crayther  is  Biddy  Ryan,  and  niver  a  cint  but  goes  for 
whiskey,  —  more  shame  to  her,  wid  a  fine  bye  av  her 
own  ready  to  kape  her  day  cint.' 

"  Then  I  was  discouraged,  and  went  home  to  fold 
my  hands,  and  see  what  fate  would  send  me,  my  own 
efforts  being  such  failures." 

"  Poor  thing,  it  was  hard  luck  !  "  said  Elizabeth,  as 
they  sobered  down  after  the  gale  of  merriment  caused 
by  Marion's  mishaps,  and  her  clever  imitation  of  the 
brogue. 

3 


34  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  Now  tell  of  your  success,  and  the  scarlet  runner," 
added  Maggie. 

"Ah!  that  was  sent,  and  so  I  prospered.  I  must 
begin  ever  so  far  back,  in  war  times,  or  I  can't  in 
troduce  my  hero  properly.  You  know  Papa  was  in  the 
army,  and  fought  all  through  the  war  till  Gettysburg, 
where  he  was  wounded.  He  was  engaged  just  before 
he  went;  so  when  his  father  hurried  to  him  after  that 
awful  battle,  Mamma  went  also,  and  helped  nurse  him 
till  he  could  come  home.  He  would  n't  go  to  an  officer's 
hospital,  but  kept  with  his  men  in  a  poor  sort  of  place, 
for  many  of  his  boys  were  hit,  and  he  would  n't  leave 
them.  Sergeant  Joe  Collins  was  one  of  the  bravest, 
and  lost  his  right  arm  saving  the  flag  in  one  of  the 
hottest  struggles  of  that  great  fight.  He  had  been  a 
Maine  lumberman,  and  was  over  six  feet  tall,  but  as 
gentle  as  a  child,  and  as  jolly  as  a  boy,  and  very  fond 
of  his  colonel. 

"  Papa  left  first,  but  made  Joe  promise  to  let  him 
know  how  he  got  on,  and  Joe  did  so  till  he  too  went 
home.  Then  Papa  lost  sight  of  him,  and  in  the  excite 
ment  of  his  own  illness,  and  the  end  of  the  war,  and 
being  married,  Joe  Collins  was  forgotten,  till  we  chil 
dren  came  along,  and  used  to  love  to  hear  the  story  of 
Papa's  battles,  and  how  the  brave  sergeant  caught  the 
flag  when  the  bearer  was  shot,  and  held  it  in  the  rush 
till  one  arm  was  blown  off  and  the  other  wounded. 
We  have  fighting  blood  in  us,  you  know,  so  we  were 
never  tired  of  that  story,  though  twenty-five  years  or 
more  make  it  all  as  far  away  to  us  as  the  old  Revolution, 
where  our  ancestor  was  killed,  at  our  Bunker  Hill ! 


MAY  FLOWERS.  35 

"  Last  December,  just  after  my  sad  disappoint 
ments,  Papa  came  home  to  dinner  one  day,  exclaim 
ing,  in  great  glee  :  *  I  've  found  old  Joe  !  A  messenger 
came  with  a  letter  to  me,  and  when  I  looked  up  to 
give  my  answer,  there  stood  a  tall,  grizzled  fellow,  as 
straight  as  a  ramrod,  grinning  from  ear  to  ear,  with 
his  hand  to  his  temple,  saluting  me  in  regular  style. 
"  Don't  you  remember  Joe  Collins,  Colonel  1  Awful 
glad  to  see  you,  sir,"  said  he.  And  then  it  all  came  back, 
and  we  had  a  good  talk,  and  I  found  out  that  the  poor 
old  boy  was  down  on  his  luck,  and  almost  friendless,  but 
as  proud  and  independent  as  ever,  and  bound  to  take 
care  of  himself  while  he  had  a  leg  to  stand  on.  I  've 
got  his  address,  and  mean  to  keep  an  eye  on  him,  for 
he  looks  feeble  and  can't  make  much,  I  'm  sure/ 

"We  were  all  very  glad,  and  Joe  came  to  see  us, 
and  Papa  sent  him  on  endless  errands,  and  helped  him 
in  that  way  till  he  went  to  New  York.  Then,  in  the 
fan  and  flurry  of  the  holidays,  we  forgot  all  about  Joe, 
till  Papa  came  home  and  missed  him  from  his  post. 
I  said  I  'd  go  and  find  him;  so  Harry  and  I  rummaged 
about  till  we  did  find  him,  in  a  little  house  at  the 
North  End,  laid  up  with  rheumatic  fever  in  a  stuffy 
back  room,  with  no  one  to  look  after  him  but  the 
washerwoman  with  whom  he  boarded. 

"  I  was  so  sorry  we  had  forgotten  him  !  but  he  never 
complained,  only  said,  with  his  cheerful  grin,  'I  kinder 
mistrusted  the  Colonel  was  away,  but  I  was  n't  goin' 
to  pester  him.'  He  tried  to  be  jolly,  though  in  dread 
ful  pain  ;  called  Harry  *  Major,'  and  was  so  grateful 
for  all  we  brought  him,  though  he  did  n't  want  oranges 


36  A   GARLAND   FOR    GIRLS. 

and  tea,  and  made  us  shout  when  I  said,  like  a  goose, 
thinking  that  was  the  proper  thing  to  do,  'Shall  I 
hathe  your  brow,  you  are  so  feverish  ] ' 

"  '  No,  thanky,  miss,  it  was  swabbed  pretty  stiddy  to 
the  horsepittle,  and  I  reckon  a  trifle  of  tobaccer  would 
do  more  good  and  be  a  sight  more  relishin',  ef  you  '11 
excuse  my  mentionin'  it.' 

"  Harry  rushed  off  and  got  a  great  lump  and  a  pipe, 
and  Joe  lay  blissfully  puffing,  in  a  cloud  of  smoke, 
when  we  left  him,  promising  to  come  again.  We  did 
go  nearly  every  day,  and  had  lovely  times ;  for  Joe  told 
us  his  adventures,  and  we  got  so  interested  in  the  war 
that  I  began  to  read  up  evenings,  and  Papa  was  pleased, 
and  fought  all  his  battles  over  again  for  us,  and  Harry 
and  I  were  great  friends  reading  together,  and  Papa 
was  charmed  to  see  the  old  General's  spirit  in  us,  as 
we  got  excited  and  discussed  all  our  wars  in  a  fever  of 
patriotism  that  made  Mamma  laugh.  Joe  said  I  <brus- 
tled  up '  at  the  word  battle  like  a  war-horse  at  the  smell 
of  powder,  and  I  'd  ought  to  have  been  a  drummer,  the 
sound  of  martial  music  made  me  so  '  skittish.' 

"It  was  all  new  and  charming  to  us  young  ones,  but 
poor  old  Joe  had  a  hard  time,  and  was  very  ill.  Ex 
posure  and  fatigue,  and  scanty  food,  and  loneliness, 
and  his  wounds,  were  too  much  for  him,  and  it  was 
plain  his  working  days  were  over.  He  hated  tho 
thought  of  the  poor-house  at  home,  which  was  all  his 
own  town  could  offer  him,  and  he  had  no  friends  to 
live  with,  and  he  could  not  get  a  pension,  something 
being  wrong  about  his  papers  ;  so  he  would  have  been 
badly  off,  but  for  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Chelsea.  As 


MAY  FLO  WEI;  s.  37 

soon  as  he  was  able,  Papa  got  him  in  there,  and  he  was 
glad  to  go,  for  that  seemed  the  proper  place,  and  a 
charity  the  proudest  man  might  accept,  after  risking 
his  life  for  his  country. 

"  There  is  where  I  used  to  be  going  when  you  saw 
me,  and  I  was  so  afraid  you  7d  smell  the  cigars  in  my 
basket.  The  dear  old  boys  always  want  them,  and 
Papa  says  they  must  have  them,  though  it  is  n't  half 
so  romantic  as  flowers,  and  jelly,  and  wine,  and  the 
dainty  messes  we  women  always  want  to  carry.  I  've 
learned  about  different  kinds  of  tobacco  and  cigars,  and 
ycu'd  laugh  to  see  me  deal  out  my  gifts,  which  an? 
received  as  gratefully  as  the  Victoria  Cross,  when  the 
Queen  decorates  her  brave  men.  I  'm  quite  a  great 
gun  over  there,  and  the  boys  salute  when  I  come,  tell 
me  their  woes,  and  think  that  Papa  and  I  can  run  the 
whole  concern.  I  like  it  immensely,  and  am  as  proud 
and  fond  of  my  dear  old  wrecks  as  if  I  'd  been  a  Rigo* 
letto,  and  ridden  on  a  cannon  from  my  babyhood- 
That 's  my  story,  but  I  can't  begin  to  tell  how  inter 
esting  it  all  is,  nor  how  glad  I  am  that  it  led  me  tc 
look  into  the  history  of  American  wars,  in  which  brave 
men  of  our  name  did  their  parts  so  well." 

A  hearty  round  of  applause  greeted  Marion's  tale, 
for  her  glowing  face  and  excited  voice  stirred  the  pa- 
triotic  spirit  of  the  Boston  girls,  and  made  them  beam 
approvingly  upon  her. 

"  Xow,  Maggie,  dear,  last  but  not  least,  I  'm  sure," 
said  Anna,  with  an  encouraging  glance,  for  she  haJ 
discovered  the  secret  of  this  friend,  and  loved  he/ 
mure  than  ever  for  it. 


38  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

Maggie  blushed  and  hesitated,  as  she  put  down  the 
delicate  muslin  cap-strings  she  was  hemming  with  such 
care.  Then,  looking  about  her  with  a  face  in  which 
both  humility  and  pride  contended,  she  said  with  an 
effort,  "  After  the  other  lively  experiences,  mine  will 
sound  very  flat.  In  fact,  I  have  no  story  to  tell,  for 
my  charity  began  at  home,  and  stopped  there." 

"  Tell  it,  dear.  I  know  it  is  interesting,  and  will  do 
us  all  good,"  said  Anna,  quickly ;  and,  thus  supported, 
Maggie  went  on. 

"  I  planned  great  things,  and  talked  about  what  I 
meant  to  do,  till  Papa  said  one  day,  when  things  were 
in  a  mess,  as  they  often  are  at  our  house,  '  If  the  little 
girls  who  want  to  help  the  world  along  would  remem 
ber  that  charity  begins  at  home,  they  would  soon  find 
enough  to  do.' 

"  I  was  rather  taken  aback,  and  said  no  more,  but 
after  Papa  had  gone  to  the  office,  I  began  to  think,  and 
looked  round  to  see  what  there  was  to  be  done  at  that 
particular  moment.  I  found  enough  for  that  day,  and 
took  hold  at  once ;  for  poor  Mamma  had  one  of  her  bad 
headaches,  the  children  could  not  go  out  because  it 
rained,  and  so  were  howling  in  the  nursery,  cook  was 
on  a  rampage,  and  Maria  had  the  toothache.  Well,  I 
began  by  making  Mamma  lie  down  for  a  good  long 
sleep.  I  kept  the  children  quiet  by  giving  them  my 
ribbon  box  and  jewelry  to  dress  up  with,  put  a  poul 
tice  on  Maria's  face,  and  offered  to  wash  the  glass  and 
silver  for  her,  to  appease  cook,  who  was  as  cross  as  two 
sticks  over  extra  work  washing-day.  It  was  n't  much 
fun,  as  you  may  imagine,  but  I  got  through  the  after- 


MAY   FLOWERS.  39 

noon,  and  kept  the  house  still,  and  at  dusk  crept  into 
Mamma's  room  and  softly  built  up  the  fire,  so  it  should 
be  cheery  when  she  waked.  Then  I  went  trembling 
to  the  kitchen  for  some  tea,  and  there  found  three  girls 
calling,  and  high  jinks  going  on ;  for  one  whisked  a 
plate  of  cake  into  the  table  drawer,  another  put  a 
cup  under  her  shawl,  and  cook  hid  the  teapot,  as  I 
stirred  round  in  the  china  closet  before  opening  the 
slide,  through  a  crack  of  which  I  'd  seen,  heard,  and 
smelt  '  the  party,'  as  the  children  call  it. 

"  I  was  angry  enough  to  scold  the  whole  set,  but  I 
wisely  held  my  tongue,  shut  my  eyes,  and  politely 
asked  for  some  hot  water,  nodded  to  the  guests,  and 
told  cook  Maria  was  better,  and  would  do  her  work 
if  she  wanted  to  go  out. 

11  So  peace  reigned,  and  as  I  settled  the  tray,  I  heard 
cook  say  in  her  balmiest  tone,  for  I  suspect  the  cake 
and  tea  lay  heavy  on  her  conscience,  '  The  mistress  is 
very  poorly,  and  Miss  takes  nice  care  of  her,  the  dear.' 

"  All  blarney,  but  it  pleased  me  and  made  me  re 
member  how  feeble  poor  Mamma  was,  and  how  little  I 
really  did.  So  I  wept  a  repentant  weep  as  I  toiled 
upstairs  with  my  tea  and  toast,  and  found  Mamma  all 
ready  for  them,  and  so  pleased  to  find  things  going 
well.  I  saw  by  that  what  a  relief  it  would  be  to  her 
if  I  did  it  oftener,  as  I  ought,  and  as  I  resolved  that  I 
would. 

"  I  did  n't  say  anything,  but  I  kept  on  doing  what 
ever  came  along,  and  before  I  knew  it  ever  so  many 
duties  slipped  out  of  Mamma's  hands  into  mine,  and 
seemed  to  belong  to  me.  I  don't  mean  that  I  liked 


40  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

them,  and  did  n't  grumble  to  myself;  I  did,  and  felt 
regularly  crushed  and  injured  sometimes  when  I  wanted 
to  go  and  have  my  own  fun.  Duty  is  right,  but  it  is  n't 
easy,  and  the  only  comfort  about  it  is  a  sort  of  quiet 
feeling  you  get  after  a  while,  and  a  strong  feeling,  as 
if  you  'd  found  something  to  hold  on  to  and  keep  you 
steady.  I  can't  express  it,  but  you  know?"  And 
Maggie  looked  wistfully  at  the  other  faces,  some  of 
which  answered  her  with  a  quick  flash  of  sympathy, 
and  some  only  wore  a  puzzled  yet  respectful  expression, 
as  if  they  felt  they  ought  to  know,  but  did  not. 

"I  need  not  tire  you  with  all  my  humdrum  doings," 
continued  Maggie.  "  I  made  no  plans,  but  just  said 
each  day,  'I  '11  take  what  comes,  and  try  to  be  cheerful 
and  contented.'  So  I  looked  after  the  children,  and 
that  left  Maria  more  time  to  sew  and  help  round.  I 
did  errands,  and  went  to  market,  and  saw  that  Papa  had 
his  meals  comfortably  when  Mamma  was  not  able  to 
come  down.  I  made  calls  for  her,  and  received  vis 
itors,  and  soon  went  on  as  if  I  were  the  lady  of  the 
house,  not  'a  chit  of  a  girl,'  as  Cousin  Tom  used  to 
call  me. 

"  The  best  of  all  were  the  cosey  talks  we  had  in  the 
twilight,  Mamma  and  I,  when  she  was  rested,  and  all 
the  day's  worry  was  over,  and  we  were  waiting  for 
Papa.  Now,  when  he  came,  I  did  n't  have  to  go  away, 
for  they  wanted  to  ask  and  tell  me  things,  and  consult 
about  affairs,  and  make  me  feel  that  I  was  really  the 
eldest  daughter.  Oh,  it  was  just  lovely  to  sit  between 
them  and  know  that  they  needed  me,  and  loved  to  have 
me  with  them  !  That  made  up  for  the  hard  and  dis- 


MAY   FLOWERS.  41 

agreeable  things,  and  not  long  ago  I  got  my  reward. 
Mamma  is  better,  and  I  was  rejoicing  over  it,  when 
she  said,  '  Yes,  I  really  am  mending  now,  and  hope 
soon  to  be  able  to  relieve  my  good  girl.  Eat  I  want 
to  tell  you,  dear,  that  when  I  was  most  discouraged 
my  greatest  comfort  was,  that  if  I  had  to  leave  my 
poor  babies  they  would  find  such  a  faithful  little 
mother  in  you.' 

"  I  was  so  pleased  I  wanted  to  cry,  for  the  children 
do  love  me,  and  run  to  me  for  everything  now,  and 
think  the  world  of  Sister,  and  they  did  n't  use  to  care 
much  for  me.  But  that  was  n't  all.  I  ought  not  to 
tell  these  things,  perhaps,  but  I  'm  so  proud  of  them 
I  can't  help  it.  When  I  asked  Papa  privately,  if 
Mamma  was  really  better  and  in  no  danger  of  falling 
ill  again,  he  said,  with  his  arms  round  me,  and  such  a 
tender  kiss,  — 

"  '  No  danger  now,  for  this  brave  little  girl  put  her 
shoulder  to  the  wheel  so  splendidly,  that  the  dear 
woman  got  the  relief  from  care  she  needed  just  at  the 
right  time,  and  now  she  really  rests  sure  that  we  are 
not  neglected.  You  could  n't  have  devoted  yourself 
to  a  better  charity,  or  done  it  more  sweetly,  my  darr 
ling.  God  bless  you  ! ' >: 

Here  Maggie's  voice  gave  out,  and  she  hid  her  face, 
with  a  happy  sob,  that  finished  her  story  eloquently. 
Marion  flew  to  wipe  her  tears  away  with  the  blue  sock, 
and  the  others  gave  a  sympathetic  murmur,  looking 
much  touched  ;  forgotten  duties  of  their  own  rose  before 
them,  and  sudden  resolutions  were  made  to  attend  to 


42  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

them  at  once,  seeing  bow  great  Maggie's  reward  had 
been. 

"  I  did  n't  mean  to  be  silly  ;  but  I  wanted  you  to 
know  that  I  had  n't  been  idle  all  winter,  and  that, 
though  I  have  n't  much  to  tell,  I  'in  quite  satisfied  with 
my  chore,"  she  said,  looking  up  with  smiles  shining 
through  the  tears  till  her  face  resembled  a  rose  in  a 
sun-shower. 

"  Many  daughters  have  done  well,  but  thou  excellest 
them  all,"  answered  Anna,  with  a  kiss  that  completed 
her  satisfaction, 

"  Now,  as  it  is  after  our  usual  time,  and  we  must 
break  up,"  continued  the  President,  producing  a  basket 
of  flowers  from  its  hiding-place,  "  I  will  merely  say  that 
I  think  we  have  all  learned  a  good  deal,  and  will  be 
able  to  work  better  next  winter ;  for  I  am  sure  we  shall 
want  to  try  again,  it  adds  so  much  sweetness  to  oar 
own  lives  to  put  even  a  little  comfort  into  the  hard 
lives  of  the  poor.  As  a  farewell  token,  I  sent  for  some 
real  Plymouth  mayflowers,  and  here  they  are,  a  posy 
apiece,  with  my  love  and  many  thanks  for  your  help 
in  carrying  out  my  plan  so  beautifully." 

So  the  nosegays  were  bestowed,  the  last  lively  chat 
enjoyed,  new  plans  suggested,  and  good-byes  said ; 
then  the  club  separated,  each  member  going  gayly 
away  with  the  rosy  flowers  on  her  bosom,  and  in  it  a 
clearer  knowledge  of  the  sad  side  of  life,  a  fresh  desire 
to  see  and  help  still  more,  and  a  sweet  satisfaction  in 
the  thought  that  each  had  done  what  she  could. 


AN  IVY   SPRAY  AND  LADIES'  SLIPPERS. 

"  IT  can't  be  done  !  So  I  may  as  well  give  it  up 
and  get  a  new  pair.  I  long  for  them,  but  I  'm  afraid 
my  nice  little  plan  for  Laura  will  be  spoilt,"  said 
Jessie  Delano  to  herself,  as  she  shook  her  head  over 
a  pair  of  small,  dilapidated  slippers  almost  past  mend 
ing.  While  she  vainly  pricked  her  fingers  over  them 
for  the  last  time,  her  mind  was  full  of  girlish  hopes 
and  fears,  as  well  as  of  anxieties  far  too  serious  for  a 
light-hearted  creature  of  sixteen. 

A  year  ago  the  sisters  had  been  the  petted  daugh 
ters  of  a  rich  man ;  but  death  and  misfortune  came 
suddenly,  and  now  they  were  left  to  face  poverty  alone. 
They  had  few  relations,  and  had  offended  the  rich 
uncle  who  offered  Jessie  a  home,  because  she  refused 
to  be  separated  from  her  sister.  Poor  Laura  was  an 
invalid,  and  no  one  wanted  her ;  but  Jessie  would  not 
leave  her,  so  they  clung  together  and  lived  on  in  the 
humble  rooms  where  their  father  died,  trying  to  earn 
their  bread  by  the  only  accomplishments  they  pos 
sessed.  Laura  painted  well,  and  after  many  disap 
pointments  was  beginning  to  find  a  sale  for  her  dainty 
designs  and  delicate  flowers.  Jessie  had  a  natural  gift 
for  dancing ;  and  her  former  teacher,  a  kind-hearted 
Frenchwoman,  offered  her  favorite  pupil  the  post  of 
assistant  teacher  in  her  classes  for  children. 


44  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

It  cost  the  girl  a  struggle  to  accept  a  place  of  this 
sort  and  be  a  humble  teacher,  patiently  twirling  stu 
pid  little  boys  and  girls  round  and  round  over  the 
smooth  floor  where  she  used  to  dance  so  happily  when 
she  was  the  pride  of  the  class  and  the  queen  of  the 
closing  balls.  But  for  Laura's  sake  she  gratefully 
accepted  the  offer,  glad  to  add  her  rnite  to  their  small 
store,  and  to  feel  that  she  could  help  keep  the  wolf 
from  the  door.  They  had  seemed  to  hear  the  howl  of 
this  dreaded  phantom  more  than  once  during  that 
year,  and  looked  forward  to  the  long  hard  winter 
with  an  anxiety  which  neither  would  confess  to  the 
other.  Laura  feared  to  fall  ill  if  she  worked  too 
hard,  and  then  what  would  become  of  this  pretty 
young  sister  who  loved  her  so  tenderly  and  would 
not  be  tempted  to  leave  her  1  And  Jessie  could  do 
very  little  except  rebel  against  their  hard  fate  and 
make  impracticable  plans.  But  each  worked  bravely, 
talked  cheerfully,  and  waited  hopefully  for  some  good 
fortune  to  befall  them,  while  doubt  and  pain  and 
poverty  and  care  made  the  young  hearts  so  heavv 
that  the  poor  girls  often  fell  asleep  on  pillows  wet 
with  secret  tears. 

The  smaller  trials  of  life  beset  Jessie  at  this  par 
ticular  moment,  and  her  bright  writs  were  trying  to 
solve  the  problem  how  to  spend  her  treasured  five 
dollars  on  slippers  for  herself  and  paints  for  Laura. 
Both  were  much  needed,  and  she  had  gone  in  shabby 
shoes  to  save  up  money  for  the  little  surprise  on 
which  she  had  set  her  heart ;  but  now  dismay  fell 
upon  her  when  the  holes  refused  to  be  cobbled,  and 


AN    IVY    SPRAY   AND   LADIES'    SLIPPERS.  45 

the  largest  of  bows  would  not  hide  the  worn-out  toes 
in  spite  of  ink  and  blacking  lavishly  applied. 

"  These  are  the  last  of  my  dear  French  slippers, 
and  I  can't  afford  any  more.  I  hate  cheap  things! 
But  I  shall  have  to  get  them  ;  for  my  boots  are  shabby, 
and  every  one  has  to  look  at  my  feet  when  I  lead. 
Oh  dear,  what  a  horrid  thing  it  is  to  be  poor ! "  and 
Jessie  surveyed  the  shabby  little  shoes  affectionately, 
as  her  eyes  filled  with  tears  ;  for  the  road  looked  very 
rough  and  steep  now,  when  she  remembered  how  she 
used  to  dance  through  life  as  happy  as  a  butterfly  in 
a  garden  full  of  sunshine  and  flowers. 

"  Now,  Jess,  no  nonsense,  no  red  eyes  to  tell  tales  ! 
Go  and  do  your  errands,  and  come  in  as  gay  as  a  lark, 
or  Laura  will  be  worried."  And  springing  up,  the 
girl  began  to  sing  instead  of  sob,  as  she  stirred  about 
her  dismal  little  room,  cleaning  her  old  gloves,  mend 
ing  her  one  white  dress,  and  wishing  with  a  sigh  of 
intense  longing  that  she  could  afford  some  flowers 
to  wear,  every  ornament  having  been  sold  long 
ago.  Then,  with  a  kiss  and  a  smile  to  her  patient 
sister,  she  hurried  away  to  get  the  necessary  slip 
pers  and  the  much-desired  paints,  which  Laura 
would  not  ask  for,  though  her  work  waited  for  want 
of  them. 

Having  been  reared  in  luxury,  poor  little  Jessie's 
tastes  were  all  of  the  daintiest  sort ;  and  her  hardest 
trial,  after  Laura's  feeble  health,  was  the  daily  sacri 
fice  of  the  many  comforts  and  elegances  to  which  she 
had  been  accustomed.  Faded  gowns,  cleaned  gloves, 
and  mended  boots  cost  her  many  a  pang,  and  the 


46  A  GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

constant  temptation  of  seeing  pretty,  useful,  and  un 
attainable  things  was  a  very  hard  one.  Laura  rarely 
went  out,  and  so  was  spared  this  cross  ;  then  she  was 
three  years  older,  had  always  been  delicate,  and  lived 
much  in  a  happy  world  of  her  own.  So  Jessie  bore 
her  trials  silently,  but  sometimes  felt  very  covetous 
and  resentful  to  see  so  much  pleasure,  money,  and 
beauty  in  the  world,  and  yet  have  so  little  of  it  fall  to 
her  lot. 

"  I  feel  as  if  I  could  pick  a  pocket  to-day  and  not 
mind  a  bit,  if  it  were  a  rich  person's.  It 's  a  shame, 
when  papa  was  always  so  generous,  that  no  one  re 
members  us.  If  ever  I  'm  rich  again,  I  '11  just  hunt 
up  all  the  poor  girls  I  can  find,  and  give  them  nice 
shoes,  if  nothing  else,"  she  thought,  as  she  went  along 
the  crowded  streets,  pausing  involuntarily  at  the  shop 
windows  to  look  with  longing  eyes  at  the  treasures 
within. 

Resisting  the  allurements  of  French  slippers  with 
bows  and  buckles,  she  wisely  bought  a  plain,  service 
able  pair,  and  trudged  away,  finding  bairn  for  her 
wounds  in  the  fact  that  they  were  very  cheap.  More 
balm  came  when  she  met  a  young  friend,  who  joined 
her  as  she  stood  wistfully  eying  the  piles  of  grapes  in 
a  window  and  longing  to  buy  some  for  Laura. 

This  warm-hearted  schoolmate  read  the  wish  before 
Jessie  saw  her,  and  gratified  it  so  adroitly  that  the 
girl  could  accept  the  pretty  basketful  sent  to  her 
sister  without  feeling  like  a  spendthrift  or  a  beggar. 
It  comforted  her  very  much,  and  the  world  began  to 
look  brighter  after  that  little  touch  of  kindness,  as  it 


AN  IVY  SPRAY  AND   LADIES'   SLIPPERS.  47 

always  does  when  genuine  sympathy  makes  sunshine 
in  shady  places. 

At  the  art  store  she  was  told  that  more  of  Laura's 
autumn-flowers  were  in  demand  ;  and  her  face  was  so 
full  of  innocent  delight  and  gratitude  it  quite  touched 
the  old  man  who  sold  her  the  paints,  and  gave  her 
more  than  her  money's  worth,  remembering  his  own 
hard  times  and  pitying  the  pretty  young  girl  whose 
father  he  had  known. 

So  Jessie  did  not  have  to  pretend  very  hard  at 
being  "  as  gay  as  a  lark "  when  she  got  home  and 
showed  her  treasures.  Laura  was  so  happy  over  the 
unexpected  gifts  that  the  dinner  of  bread  and  milk 
and  grapes  was  quite  a  picnic ;  and  Jessie  found  a 
smile  on  her  face  when  she  went  to  dress  for  her 
party. 

It  was  only  a  child's  party  at  the  house  of  one  of 
Mademoiselle's  pupils,  and  Jessie  was  merely  invited 
to  help  the  little  people  through  their  dancing.  She 
did  not  like  to  go  in  this  way,  as  she  was  sure  to 
meet  familiar  faces  there,  full  of  the  pity,  curiosity,  or 
indifference  so  hard  for  a  girl  to  bear.  But  Mademoi 
selle  asked  it  as  a  favor,  and  Jessie  was  grateful ;  so 
she  went,  expecting  no  pleasure  and  certain  of  much 
weariness,  if  not  annoyance. 

When  she  was  ready,  —  and  it  did  not  take  long 
to  slip  on  the  white  woollen  dress,  brush  out  the 
curly  dark  hair,  and  fold  up  slippers  and  gloves, 
—  she  stood  before  her  glass  looking  at  herself,  quite 
conscious  that  she  was  very  pretty,  with  her  large 
eyes,  blooming  cheeks,  and  the  lofty  little  air  which 


48  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

nothing  could  change.  She  was  also  painfully  ci  M- 
scious  that  her  dress  was  neither  fresh  nor  becoming 
without  a  bit  of  ribbon  or  a  knot  of  flowers  to  give  it 
the  touch  of  color  it  needed.  She  had  an  artistic  eye, 
and  used  to  delight  in  ordering  charming  costumes  for 
herself  in  the  happy  days  when  all  her  wishes  were 
granted  as  if  fairies  still  lived.  She  tossed  over  her 
very  small  store  of  ribbons  in  vain ;  everything  had 
been  worn  till  neither  beauty  nor  freshness  remained. 

"  Oh  dear  !  where  can  I  find  something  to  make  me 
look  less  like  a  nun,  —  and  a  very  shabby  one,  too  1  " 
she  said,  longing  for  the  pink  corals  she  sold  to  pay 
Laura's  doctor's  bill. 

The  sound  of  a  soft  tap,  tap,  tap,  startled  her,  and 
she  ran  to  open  the  door.  No  one  was  there  but 
Laura,  fast  asleep  on  the  sofa.  Tap,  tap,  tap !  went 
the  invisible  hand  ;  and  as  the  sound  seemed  to  come 
from  the  window,  Jessie  glanced  that  way,  thinking 
her  tame  dove  had  come  to  be  fed.  Neither  hungry 
dove  nor  bold  sparrow  appeared,  —  only  a  spray  of 
Japanese  ivy  waving  in  the  wind.  A  very  pretty 
spray  it  was,  covered  with  tiny  crimson  leaves ;  and 
it  tapped  impatiently,  as  if  it  answered  her  question 
by  saying,  "  Here  is  a  garland  for  you  :  come  and 
take  it," 

Jessie's  quick  eye  was  caught  at  once  by  the  fine 
color,  and  running  to  the  window  she  looked  out  as 
eagerly  as  if  a  new  idea  had  come  into  her  head.  It 
was  a  dull  November  day,  and  the  prospect  of  sheds, 
ash-barrels,  and  old  brooms  was  a  gloomy  one  ;  but  the 
whole  back  of  the  house  glowed  with  the  red  tendrils 


AN    IVY    SPRAY    AND    LADIES'    SLIPPERS.          4(J 

of  the  hardy  vine  that  clung  to  and  covered  the  dingy 
bricks  with  a  royal  mantle,  as  if  eager  to  cheer  the  eyes 
and  hearts  of  all  who  looked.  It  preached  a  little  ser 
mon  of  courage,  aspiration,  and  content  to  those  who 
had  the  skill  to  read  it,  and  bade  them  see  how,  spring 
ing  from  the  scanty  soil  of  that  back  yard  full  of  the 
commonest  objects,  the  humblest  work,  it  set  its  little 
creepers  in  the  crannies  of  the  stone,  and  struggled  up 
to  find  the  sun  and  air,  till  it  grew  strong  and  beau 
tiful,  —  making  the  blank  wall  green  in  summer, 
glorious  in  autumn,  and  a  refuge  in  winter,  when  it 
welcomed  the  sparrows  to  the  shelter  of  its  branches 
where  the  sun  lay  warmest. 

Jessie  loved  this  beautiful  neighbor,  and  had  en 
joyed  it  all  that  summer,  —  the  first  she  ever  spent  in 
the  hot  city.  She  felt  the  grace  its  greenness  gave  to 
all  it  touched,  and  half  unconsciously  imitated  it  in 
trying  to  be  brave  and  bright,  as  she  also  climbed 
up  from  the  dismal  place  where  she  seemed  shut  away 
from  everything  lovely,  till  she  was  beginning  to 
discover  that  the  blue  sky  was  over  all,  the  sun  still 
shone  for  her,  and  heaven's  fresh  air  kissed  her 
cheeks  as  kindly  as  ever.  Many  a  night  she  had 
leaned  from  the  high  window  when  Laura  was  asleep,  ' 
dreaming  innocent  dreams,  living  over  her  short  past, 
or  trying  to  look  into  the  future  bravely  and  trust 
fully.  The  little  vine  had  felt  warmer  drops  than 
rain  or  dew  fall  on  it  when  things  went  badly,  had 
heard  whispered  prayers  when  the  lonely  child  asked 
the  Father  of  the  fatherless  for  help  and  comfort,  had 
peeped  in  to  see  her  sleeping  peacefully  when  the 
4 


50  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

hard  hour  was  over,  and  been  the  first  to  greet  her 
with  a  tap  on  the  window-pane  as  she  woke  full 
of  new  hope  in  the  morning.  It  seemed  to  know  all 
her  moods  and  troubles,  to  be  her  friend  and  confi 
dante,  and  now  came  with  help  like  a  fairy  godmother 
when  our  Cinderella  wanted  to  be  fine  for  the  little 
ball. 

"Just  the  thing  !  Why  did  n't  I  think  of  it  1  So 
bright  and  delicate  and  becoming  1  It  will  last  better 
than  flowers  ;  and  no  one  can  think  I  'm  extravagant, 
since  it  costs  nothing." 

As  she  spoke,  Jessie  was  gathering  long  sprays  of 
the  rosy  vine,  with  its  glossy  leaves  so  beautifully 
shaded  that  it  was  evident  Jack  Frost  had  done  his 
best  for  it.  Going  to  her  glass,  she  fastened  a  wreath 
of  the  smallest  leaves  about  her  head,  set  a  cluster  of 
larger  ones  in  her  bosom,  and  then  surveyed  herself 
with  girlish  pleasure,  as  well  she  might ;  for  the  effect 
of  the  simple  decoration  was  charming.  Quite  satis 
fied  now,  she  tied  on  her  cloud  and  slipped  away 
without  waking  Laura,  little  dreaming  what  good  for 
tune  the  ivy  spray  was  to  bring  them  both. 

She  found  the  children  prancing  with  impatience  to 
begin  their  ballet,  much  excited  by  the  music,  gas 
light,  and  gay  dresses,  which  made  it  seem  like  "  a 
truly  ball."  All  welcomed  Jessie,  and  she  soon  forgot 
the  cheap  slippers,  mended  gloves,  and  old  dress,  as 
she  gayly  led  her  troop  through  the  pretty  dance  with 
so  much  grace  and  skill  that  the  admiring  mammas 
who  lined  the  walls  declared  it  was  the  sweetest  thing 
they  ever  saw. 


She  gayly  led  her  troop  through  the  pretty  dance."  —  PAGE  50. 


AN   IVY   SPRAY  AND   LADIES'   SLIPPERS.          51 

"  Who  is  that  little  person  1 "  asked  one  of  the  few 
gentlemen  who  hovered  about  the  doorways. 

His  hostess  told  Jessie's  story  in  a  few  words,  and 
was  surprised  to  hear  him  say  in  a  satisfied  tone,  — 

"  I  'm  glad  she  is  poor.  I  want  her  head,  and  now 
there  is  some  chance  of  getting  it." 

"My  dear  Mr.  Vane,  what  do  you  mean1?"  asked 
the  lady,  laughing. 

"  I  came  to  study  young  faces ;  I  want  one  for  a 
picture,  and  that  little  girl  with  the  red  leaves  is 
charming.  Please  present  me." 

"  No  use  ;  you  may  ask  for  her  hand  by-and-by,  if 
you  like,  but  not  for  her  head.  She  is  very  proud, 
and  never  would  consent  to  sit  as  a  model,  I  'm 
sure." 

"  I  think  I  can  manage  it,  if  you  will  kindly  give 
me  a  start." 

"Very  well.  The  children  are  just  going  down  to 
supper,  and  Miss  Delano  will  rest.  You  can  make 
your  bold  proposal  now,  if  you  dare." 

A  moment  later,  as  she  stood  watching  the  little 
ones  troop  away,  Jessie  found  herself  bowing  to  the 
tall  gentleman,  who  begged  to  know  what  he  could 
bring  her  with  as  much  interest  as  if  she  had  been 
the  finest  lady  in  the  room.  Of  course  she  chose  ice 
cream,  and  slipped  into  a  corner  to  rest  her  tired  feet, 
preferring  the  deserted  parlor  to  the  noisy  dining- 
room,  —  not  being  quite  sure  where  she  belonged 
now. 

Mr.  Vane  brought  her  a  salver  full  of  the  dainties 
girls  best  love,  and  drawing  up  a  table  began  to  eat 


52  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

and  talk  in  such  a  simple,  comfortable  way  that  Jessie 
could  not  feel  shy,  but  was  soon  quite  at  her  ease. 
She  knew  that  he  was  a  famous  artist,  and  longed  to 
tell  him  about  poor  Laura,  who  admired  his  pictures 
so  much  and  would  have  enjoyed  every  moment  of 
this  chance  interview.  He  was  not  a  very  young 
man,  nor  a  handsome  one,  but  he  had  a  genial  face, 
and  the  friendly  manners  which  are  so  charming  ;  and 
in  ten  minutes  Jessie  was  chatting  freely,  quite  imcon* 
scious  that  the  artist  was  studying  her  in  a  mirror  all 
the  while.  They  naturally  talked  of  the  children,  and 
after  praising  the  pretty  dance  Mr.  Vane  quietly 
added,  — 

"  I  've  been  trying  to  find  a  face  among  them  for  a 
picture  I  'm  doing ;  but  the  little  dears  are  all  too 
young,  and  I  must  look  elsewhere  for  a  model  for  my 
wood-nymph." 

"Are  models  hard  to  find1?"  asked  Jessie,  eating 
her  ice  with  the  relish  of  a  girl  who  does  not  often 
taste  it. 

"What  I  want  is  very  hard  to  find.  I  can  get 
plenty  of  beggar-girls,  but  this  must  be  a  refined  face, 
young  and  blooming,  but  with  poetry  in  it ;  and  that 
does  not  come  without  a  different  training  from  any 
my  usual  models  get.  It  will  be  difficult  to  suit  me, 
for  I  'm  in  a  hurry  and  don't  know  where  to  look,"  — 
which  last  sentence  was  not  quite  true,  for  the  long 
glass  showed  him  exactly  what  he  wanted. 

"  I  help  Mademoiselle  with  her  classes,  and  she 
has  pupils  of  all  ages ;  perhaps  you  could  find  some 
one  there." 


AN    IVY   SPRAY   AND   LADIES*    SLIPPERS,,          53 

Jessie  looked  so  interested  that  the  artist  felt  that 
he  had  begun  well,  and  ventured  a  step  further  as  he 
passed  the  cake-basket  for  the  third  time. 

"  You  are  very  kind  ;  but  the  trouble  there  is,  that 
I  fear  none  of  the  young  ladies  would  consent  to  sit  to 
me  if  I  dared  to  ask  them.  I  will  confide  to  you 
that  I  have  seen  a  head  which  quite  suits  me  ;  but  I 
fear  I  cannot  get  it.  Give  me  your  advice,  please. 
Should  you  think  this  pretty  creature  would  be  of 
fended,  if  I  made  the  request  most  respectfully  1 " 

"  No,  indeed  ;  I  should  think  she  would  be  proud 
to  help  with  one  of  your  pictures,  sir.  My  sister 
thinks  they  are  very  lovely ;  and  we  kept  one  of  them 
when  wre  had  to  sell  all  the  rest,"  said  Jessie,  in  her 
eager,  frank  way. 

"  That  was  a  beautiful  compliment,  and  I  am  proud 
of  it.  Please  tell  her  so,  with  my  thanks.  Which 
was  it  1 " 

"  The  woman's  head,  —  the  sad,  sweet  one  people  call 
a  Madonna.  We  call  it  Mother,  and  love  it  very  much, 
for  Laura  says  it  is  like  our  mother.  I  never  saw  her, 
but  my  sister  remembers  the  dear  face  very  well." 

Jessie's  eyes  dropped,  as  if  tears  were  near;  and 
Mr.  Vane  said,  in  a  voice  which  showed  he  understood 
and  shared  her  feeling,  — 

"  I  am  very  glad  that  anything  of  mine  has  been  a 
comfort  to  you.  I  thought  of  my  own  mother  when  I 
painted  that  picture  years  ago ;  so  you  see  you  read  it 
truly,  and  gave  it  the  right  name.  Now,  about  the 
other  head ;  you  think  I  may  venture  to  propose  the 
idea  to  its  owner,  do  you  1 " 


54  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

"  Why  not,  sir  1  She  would  be  very  silly  to  refuse, 
I  think." 

"  Then  you  would  n't  be  offended  if  asked  to  sit  in 
this  way  1 " 

"  Oh,  no.  I  've  sat  for  Laura  many  a  time,  and 
she  says  I  make  a  very  good  model.  But  then,  she 
only  paints  simple  little  things  that  I  am  fit  for." 

"That  is  just  what  I  want  to  do.  Would  you 
mind  asking  the  young  lady  for  me  1  She  is  just 
behind  you." 

Jessie  turned  with  a  start,  wondering  who  had 
come  in  ;  but  all  she  saw  was  her  own  curious  face  in 
the  mirror,  and  Mr.  Vane's  smiling  one  above  it. 

"  Do  you  mean  me  1 "  she  cried,  so  surprised  and 
pleased  and  half  ashamed  that  she  could  only  blush 
and  laugh  and  look  prettier  than  ever. 

"  Indeed  I  do.  Mrs.  Murray  thought  the  request 
would  annoy  you ;  but  I  fancied  you  would  grant  it, 
you  wore  such  a  graceful  little  garland,  and  seemed  so 
interested  in  the  pictures  here." 

"It  is  only  a  bit  of  ivy,  but  so  pretty  I  wanted  to 
wear  it,  as  1  had  nothing  else,"  said  the  girl,  glad 
that  her  simple  ornament  found  favor  in  such  eyes. 

"  It  is  most  artistic,  and  caught  my  eye  at  once. 
I  said  to  myself,  'That  is  the  head  I  want,  and  I 
must  secure  it  if  possible.'  Can  I  ? "  asked  Mr.  Vane, 
smiling  persuasively  as  he  saw  what  a  frank  and  art 
less  young  person  he  had  to  deal  with. 

"With  pleasure,  if  Laura  doesn't  mind.  I'll  ask 
her,  and  if  she  is  willing  I  shall  be  very  proud  to  have 
even  my  wreath  in  a  famous  picture,"  answered  Jessie, 


AN    IVY   SPRAY   AND   LADIES*    SLIPPERS.          55 

so  full  of  innocent  delight  at  being  thus  honored  that 
it  was  a  pretty  sight  to  see. 

"  A  thousand  thanks  !  Now  I  can  exult  over  Mrs, 
Murray,  and  get  my  palette  ready.  When  can  we 
begin  1  As  your  sister  is  an  invalid  and  cannot  come 
to  my  studio  with  you,  perhaps  you  will  allow  me  to 
make  my  sketch  at  your  own  house/'  said  Mr.  Vane, 
as  pleased  with  his  success  as  only  a  perplexed  artist 
could  be. 

"  Did  Mrs.  Murray  tell  you  about  us  ? "  asked  Jessie 
quickly,  as  her  smiles  faded  away  and  the  proud  look 
came  into  her  face  ;  for  she  was  sure  their  misfortunes 
were  known,  since  he  spoke  of  poor  Laura's  health. 

"  A  little,"  began  the  new  friend,  with  a  sympa 
thetic  glance. 

"  I  know  models  are  paid  for  sitting  ;  did  you  wish 
to  do  it  with  me  because  I  'm  poor  1 "  asked  Jessie- 
with  an  irrepressible  frown  and  a  glance  at  the  thrice, 
cleaned  dress  and  the  neatly  mended  gloves. 

Mr.  Vane  knew  what  thorn  pricked  the  sensitive 
little  girl,  and  answered  in  his  friendliest  tone,  — 

"  I  never  thought  of  such  a  thing.  I  wanted  you 
to  help  me,  because  I  am  poor  in  what  artists  so  much , 
need,  —  real  grace  and  beauty.  I  hoped  you  would 
allow  me  to  give  your  sister  a  copy  of  the  sketch  as  a 
token  of  my  gratitude  for  your  great  kindness." 

The  frown  vanished  and  the  smile  returned  as  the 
soft  answer  turned  away  Jessie's  wrath  and  made  her 
hasten  to  say  penitently,  — 

"  I  was  very  rude  ;  but  I  have  n't  learned  to  be 
humble  yet,  and  often  forget  that  I  am  poor.  Please 


56  A   OAKLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

come  to  us  any  time.  Laura  will  enjoy  seeing  you 
work,  and  be  delighted  with  anything  you  give  her. 
So  shall  I,  though  I  don't  deserve  it." 

"  I  won't  punish  you  by  painting  the  frown  that 
quite  frightened  me  just  now,  but  do  my  best  to  keep 
the  happy  face,  and  so  heap  coals  of  fire  on  your  head. 
They  won't  burn  any  more  than  the  pretty  red  leaves 
that  brought  me  this  good  fortune,"  answered  the 
artist,  seeing  that  his  peace  was  made. 

"  I  'm  so  glad  I  wore  them  ! "  and  as  if  trying  to 
make  amends  for  her  little  flash  of  temper,  Jessie  told 
him  about  the  ivy,  and  how  she  loved  it,  —  uncon 
sciously  betraying  more  of  her  pathetic  little  story 
than  she  knew,  and  increasing  her  hearer's  interest 
in  his  new  model. 

The  children  came  back  in  riotous  spirits,  and  Jessie 
was  called  to  lead  the  revels  again.  But  now  her 
heart  was  as  light  as  her  heels ;  for  she  had  something 
pleasant  to  think  of,  —  a  hope  of  help  for  Laura,  and 
the  memory  of  kind  words  to  make  hard  duties  easier. 
Mr.  Vane  soon  slipped  away,  promising  to  come  the 
next  day  ;  and  at  eight  o'clock  Jessie  ran  home  to  tell 
her  sister  the  good  news,  and  to  press  the  little 
wreath  which  had  served  her  so  well. 

With  the  sanguine  spirit  of  girlhood,  she  felt  sure 
that  something  delightful  would  happen,  and  built 
fine  castles  in  the  air  for  her  sister,  with  a  small  cor 
ner  for  herself,  where  she  could  watch  Laura  bloom 
into  a  healthy  woman  and  a  great  artist.  The  desire  of 
Jessie's  heart  was  to  earn  enough  money  to  enable  them 
to  spend  a  month  or  two  at  the  seashore  when  summer 


AX   IVY    SPRAY    AND   LADIES'    SLIPPERS.          57 

came,  as  that  was  the  surest  cure  for  Laura's  weak 
nerves  and  muscles.  She  had  cherished  the  wild  idea 
of  being  a  ballet-girl,  as  dancing  was  her  delight ; 
but  every  one  frowned  upon  that  plan,  and  her  own 
refined  nature  told  her  that  it  was  not  the  life  for  a 
young  girl.  Mr.  Vane's  request  for  her  head  sug 
gested  a  splendid  hope  ;  and  after  getting  angry  with 
him  for  hinting  at  her  being  a  model,  she  suddenly 
decided  to  try  it,  —  with  the  charming  inconsistency 
of  her  sex.  The  more  she  thought  of  it,  the  better 
she  liked  the  idea,  and  resolved  to  ask  her  new  friend 
all  about  it,  fondly  hoping  that  much  money  could  be 
made  in  this  way. 

She  said  nothing  to  her  sister,  but  while  she  sat 
patiently  to  Mr.  Vane  when  he  came  next  day,  she 
asked  many  questions ;  and  though  somewhat  dis 
couraged  by  his  replies,  confided  to  him  her  hopes 
and  begged  his  advice.  Being  a  wise  man  as  well  as 
a  good  and  kindly  one,  he  saw  at  once  that  this 
life  would  not  be  safe  for  the  pretty,  impulsive,  and 
tenderly  reared  girl,  left  so  unprotected  in  a  world 
full  of  trials  and  temptations.  So  he  told  her  it 
would  not  do,  except  so  far  as  she  would  allow  him  to 
make  several  studies  of  her  head  in  various  characters 
and  pay  for  them. 

She  consented,  and  though  much  disappointed 
found  some  consolation  in  hoarding  a  part  of  the 
handsome  sum  so  earned  for  the  desire  of  her  heart. 

The  artist  seemed  in  no  haste  to  finish  his  work, 
and  for  some  weeks  came  often  to  the  sittings  in  that 
quiet  room ;  for  it  grew  more  and  more  attractive  to 


58  A    GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

him,  and  while  he  painted  the  younger  sisters  change 
ful  face  he  studied  the  beautiful  nature  of  the  elder 
and  learned  to  love  it.  But  no  one  guessed  that 
secret  for  a  long  time ;  and  Jessie  was  so  busy  rack 
ing  her  brain  for  a  way  to  earn  more  money  that  she 
was  as  blind  and  deaf  to  much  that  went  on  before 
her  as  if  she  had  been  a  wooden  dummy. 

Suddenly,  when  she  least  expected  it,  help  came, 
and  in  such  a  delightful  way  that  she  long  remem 
bered  the  little  episode  with  girlish  satisfaction.  One 
day  as  she  sat  wearily  waiting  till  the  dressing-room 
was  cleared  of  maids  and  children  after  the  dancing- 
class  was  over,  a  former  friend  came  sauntering  up  to 
her,  saying  in  the  tone  which  always  nettled  Jessie, — 

"  You  poor  thing  !  are  n't  you  tired  to  death  try 
ing  to  teach  these  stupid  babies]" 

"  No  \  I  love  to  dance,  and  we  had  new  figures  to 
day.  See  !  is  n't  this  pretty  1 "  and  Jessie,  who  knew 
her  own  skill  and  loved  to  display  it,  twirled  away  as 
lightly  as  if  her  feet  were  not  aching  with  two  hours 
of  hard  work. 

"  Lovely !  I  do  wish  I  ever  could  learn  to  keep 
time  and  not  jerk  and  bounce.  Being  plump  is  a 
dreadful  trial,"  sighed  Fanny  Fletcher,  as  Jessie  came 
back  beaming  and  breathless. 

"  Perhaps  I  can  teach  you.  I  think  of  making  this 
my  profession  since  I  must  do  something.  Mademoi 
selle  earns  heaps  of  money  by  it,"  she  said,  sitting 
down  to  rest,  resolved  not  to  be  ashamed  of  her  work 
or  to  let  Fanny  pity  her. 

"  I  wish  you  could  teach  me,  for  I  know  I  shall  dis- 


AN   IVY   SPRAY  AND  LADIES'   SLIPPERS.          59 

grace  myself  at  the  Kirmess.  You  've  heard  about  it, 
of  course  ?  So  sorry  you  can't  take  a  part,  for  it 's 
going  to  be  great  fun  and  very  splendid.  I  am  in  the 
Hungarian  dance,  and  it 's  one  of  the  hardest ;  but 
the  dress  is  lovely,  and  I  would  be  in  it.  Mamma 
is  the  matron  of  it ;  so  I  had  my  way,  though  I  knew 
the  girls  don't  want  me,  and  the  boys  make  fun  of 
me.  Just  see  if  this  is  n't  the  queerest  step  you  ever 
beheld  ! " 

Fanny  started  bravely  across  the  wide  smooth  floor, 
with  a  stamp,  a  slide,  and  a  twirl  which  was  certainly 
odd,  but  might  have  been  lively  and  graceful  if  she  had 
not  unfortunately  been  a  very  plump,  awkward  girl,  with 
no  more  elasticity  than  a  feather-bed.  Jessie  found  it 
impossible  not  to  laugh  when  Fanny  ended  her  dis 
play  with  a  sprawl  upon  the  floor,  and  sat  rubbing  her 
elbows  in  an  attitude  of  despair. 

"  I  know  that  dance  !  It  is  the  tzardas,  and  I  can 
show  you  how  it  should  be  done.  Jump  up  and  try 
it  with  me  ! "  she  said  good-naturedly,  running  to  help 
her  friend  up,  glad  to  have  a  partner  of  her  own  size 
for  once. 

Away  they  went,  but  soon  stopped  ;  for  Fanny  could 
not  keep  step,  and  Jessie  pulled  and  stamped  and 
hummed  in  vain. 

"  Do  it  alone ;  then  I  can  see  how  it  goes,  and  man 
age  better  next  time,"  panted  the  poor  girl,  dropping 
down  upon  the  velvet  seat  which  ran  round  the  hall. 

Mademoiselle  had  come  in  and  watched  them  for  a 
moment.  She  saw  at  once  what  was  needed,  and  as 
Mrs.  Fletcher  was  one  of  her  best  patrons,  she  was 


60  A    GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

glad  to  oblige  the  oldest  daughter ;  so  she  went  to  the 
piano  and  struck  up  the  proper  air  just  as  Jessie,  with 
one  arm  on  her  hip,  the  other  on  the  shoulder  of  an 
invisible  partner,  went  down  the  hall  with  a  martial 
stamp,  a  quick  slide,  and  a  graceful  turn,  in  perfect 
time  to  the  stirring  music  that  made  her  nerves  tingle 
and  her  feet  fly.  To  and  fro,  round  and  round,  with 
all  manner  of  graceful  gestures,  intricate  steps,  and  ac 
tive  bounds  went  the  happy  girl,  quite  carried  away  by 
the  music  and  motion  of  the  pastime  she  loved  so  much. 

Fanny  clapped  her  hands  with  admiration,  and 
Mademoiselle  cried,  "  Bien,  tres  bien,  charmante,  ma 
cherie  !  "  as  she  paused  at  last,  rosy  and  smiling,  with 
one  hand  on  her  heart  and  the  other  at  her  temple 
with  the  salute  that  closed  the  dance. 

"  I  must  learn  it  !  Do  come  and  give  me  lessons  at 
our  house.  I  called  for  Maud  and  must  go  now.  Will 
you  come,  Jessie  ?  1  '11  be  glad  to  pay  you  if  you  don't 
mind.  I  hate  to  be  laughed  at ;  and  I  know  if  some 
one  would  just  help  me  alone  I  should  do  as  well  as 
the  rest,  for  Professor  Ludwig  raves  at  us  all." 

Fanny  seemed  in  such  a  sad  strait,  and  Jessie  sym 
pathized  so  heartily  with  her,  that  she  could  not  re 
fuse  a  request  which  flattered  her  vanity  and  tempted 
her  with  a  prospect  of  some  addition  to  the  "  Sister- 
fund,"  as  she  called  her  little  savings.  So  she  gra 
ciously  consented,  and  after  a  few  laborious  lessons 
prospered  so  well  that  her  grateful  pupil  proposed  to 
several  other  unsuccessful  dancers  in  the  set  to  invite 
Jessie  to  the  private  rehearsals  held  in  various  parlors 
as  the  festival  drew  near. 


AN    IVY    SPRAY    AND    LADIES*    SLIPPERS.  01 

Some  of  these  young  people  knew  Jessie  Delano, 
had  missed  the  bright  girl,  and  gladly  welcomed  her 
back  when,  after  much  persuasion,  she  agreed  to  go 
and  help  them  with  the  difficult  figures  of  the  tzardas. 
Once  among  them  she  felt  in  her  element,  and  trained 
the  awkward  squad  so  well  that  Professor  Ludwig  com 
plimented  them  on  their  improvement  at  the  public  re 
hearsals,  and  raved  no  more,  to  the  great  delight  of  the 
timid  damsels,  who  lost  their  wits  when  the  fiery  little 
man  shouted  and  wrung  his  hands  over  their  mistakes. 

The  young  gentlemen  needed  help  also,  as  several 
of  them  looked  very  much  like  galvanized  grasshop 
pers  in  their  efforts  to  manage  long  legs  or  awkward 
elbows.  Jessie  willingly  danced  with  them,  and  showed 
them  how  to  move  with  grace  and  spirit,  and  handle 
their  partners  less  like  dolls  and  more  like  peasant 
maidens  with  whom  the  martial  Hungarians  were 
supposed  to  be  disporting  themselves  at  the  fair. 
Merry  meetings  were  these ;  and  all  enjoyed  them,  as 
young  people  do  whatever  is  lively,  dramatic,  and 
social.  Every  one  was  full  of  the  brilliant  Kir  mess, 
which  was  the  talk  of  the  city,  and  to  which  every 
one  intended  to  go  as  actor  or  spectator.  Jessie  wa;s 
sadly  tempted  to  spend  three  of  her  cherished  dollars 
for  a  ticket,  and  perhaps  would  have  done  so  if  there 
had  been  any  one  to  take  care  of  her.  Laura  could 
not  go,  and  Mr.  Vane  was  away;  no  other  friend  ap 
peared,  and  no  one  remembered  to  invite  her,  so  she 
bravely  hid  her  girlish  longing,  and  got  all  the  pleasure 
out  of  the  rehearsals  that  she  could. 

At  the  last  of  these,  which  was  a  full-dress  affair 


62  A   GARLAND   FOU   GIRL3. 

at  Fanny's  house,  something  happened  which  not 
only  tried  Jessie's  temper  sorely,  but  brought  her  a 
reward  for  many  small  sacrifices.  So  much  dancing 
was  very  hard  upon  her  slippers,  the  new  pair  were 
worn  out  long  ago,  and  a  second  pair  were  in  a  danger 
ous  condition  ;  but  Jessie  hoped  that  they  would  last 
that  evening,  and  then  she  would  indulge  in  better 
ones  with  what  Fanny  would  pay  her.  She  hated  to 
take  it,  but  her  salary  at  Mademoiselle's  was  needed 
at  home ;  all  she  could  spare  from  other  sources  was 
sacredly  kept  for  Laura's  jaunt,  and  only  now  and 
then  did  the  good  little  girl  buy  some  very  necessary 
article  for  herself.  She  was  learning  to  be  humble,  to 
love  work,  and  be  grateful  for  her  small  wages  for  her 
sister's  sake ;  and  while  she  hid  her  trials,  withstood 
her  temptations,  and  bravely  tugged  away  at  her  hard 
tasks,  the  kind  Providence,  who  teaches  us  the  sweet 
ness  of  adversity,  was  preparing  a  more  beautiful  and 
helpful  surprise  than  any  she  could  plan  or  execute. 

That  night  all  were  much  excited,  and  great  was 
the  energy  displayed  as  the  scarlet,  blue,  and  silver 
couples  went  through  the  rapid  figures  with  unusual 
spirit  and  success.  The  brass-heeled  boots  stamped  in 
perfect  time,  the  furred  caps  waved,  and  the  braided 
jackets  glittered  as  the  gay  troop  swung  to  and  fro  or 
marched  to  the  barbaric  music  of  an  impromptu  band. 
Jessie  looked  on  with  such  longing  in  her  eyes  that 
Fanny,  who  was  ill  with  a  bad  cold,  kindly  begged  her 
to  take  her  place,  as  motion  made  her  cough,  and  put 
ting  on  the  red  and  silver  cap  wxit  her  joyfully  awiy 
to  lead  them  all. 


AN    IVY   SPRAY   AND    LADIES'    SLIPPERS.          63 

The  fun  grew  rather  fast  and  furious  toward  the 
end,  and  when  the  dance  broke  up  there  lay  in  the 
middle  of  the  floor  a  shabby  little  slipper,  burst  at 
the  side,  trodden  down  at  the  heel,  and  utterly  de 
moralized  as  to  the  bow  with  a  broken  buckle  in  it. 
Such  a  disreputable  little  shoe  was  it  that  no  one 
claimed  it  when  one  of  the  young  men  held  it  up  on 
the  point  of  his  sword,  exclaiming  gayly,  — 

"Where  is  Cinderella?  Here's  her  shoe,  and  it's 
quite  time  she  had,  a  new  pair.  Glass  evidently 
doesn't  wear  well  now-a-days." 

They  all  laughed  and  looked  about  to  find  the  shoe 
less  foot.  The  girls  with  small  feet  displayed  them 
readily ;  those  less  blessed  hid  them  at  once,  and  no 
Cinderella  appeared  to  claim  the  old  slipper.  Jessie 
turned  as  red  as  her  cap,  and  glanced  imploringly  at 
Fanny  as  she  slipped  through  a  convenient  door  and 
flew  up-stairs,  knowing  that  in  a  moment  all  would 
see  that  it  must  be  hers,  since  the  other  girls  wore  red 
boots  as  a  part  of  their  costume. 

Fanny  understood  ;  and  though  awkward  and  slow 
with  her  feet,  she  was  kind-hearted  and  quick  to  spare 
her  friend  the  mortification  which  a  poor  and  proud 
girl  could  not  help  feeling  at  such  a  moment.  The 
unfortunate  slipper  was  flying  from  hand  to  hand  as 
the  youths  indulged  in  a  boyish  game  of  ball  to 
tease  the  laughing  girls,  who  hastened  to  disclaim  all 
knowledge  of  "the  horrid  thing." 

"  Please  give  it  to  me  ! "  cried  Fanny,  trying  to 
catch  it,  and  glad  Jessie  was  safe. 

"  No  ;  Cinderella  must  come  and  put  it  on.     Here  's 


G4  A    GARLAND   FOIl   GIRLS. 

the  Prince  all  ready  to  help  her,"  said  the  finder  of 
the  shoe,  holding  it  up. 

"  And  here  are  lots  of  proud  sisters  ready  to  cut  off 
their  toes  and  heels  if  they  could  only  get  on  such  a 
small  slipper,"  added  another  young  Mygar,  enjoying 
the  fun  immensely. 

"  Listen,  and  let  me  tell  you  something.  It 's  Jes 
sie  Delano's,  and  she  has  run  away  because  she  lost  it. 
Don't  laugh  and  make  fun  of  it,  because  it  was  wrorn 
out  in  helping  us.  You  all  know  what  a  hard  time 
she  has  had.  but  you  don't  know  how  good  and  brave 
and  patient  she  is,  trying  to  help  poor  Laura  and  to 
earn  her  living.  I  asked  her  to  teach  me,  and  I  shall 
pay  her  well  for  it,  because  I  could  n't  have  gone  on 
if  she  had  n't.  If  any  of  you  feel  as  grateful  as  I  do, 
and  as  sorry  for  her,  you  can  show  it  in  any  kind  way 
you  please,  for  it  must  be  dreadful  to  be  so  poor." 

Fanny  had  spoken  quickly,  and  at  the  last  words 
hid  the  tremble  in  her  voice  with  a  cough,  being  rather 
scared  at  what  she  had  done  on  the  impulse  of  the 
moment.  But  it  was  a  true  impulse,  and  the  generous 
young  hearts  were  quick  to  answer  it.  The  old  slip 
per  was  respectfully  handed  to  her  with  many  apolo 
gies  and  various  penitent  suggestions.  None  were 
adopted  just  then,  however,  for  Fanny  ran  off  to  find 
Jessie  with  her  things  on  waiting  for  a  chance  to  slip 
away  unseen.  No  persuasions  would  keep  her  to  sup 
per  ;  and  at  last,  with  many  thanks,  she  was  allowed 
to  go,  while  Fanny  returned  to  lay  plans  with  her 
guests  as  they  disturbed  their  digestions  with  lobster 
salad,  ice-cream,  and  strong  coffee. 


AN    IVY   SPKAY   AND    LADIES'    SLIPPERS.          65 

Feeling  more  than  ever  like  Cinderella  as  she  hur 
ried  out  into  the  winter  night,  leaving  all  the  good 
times  behind  her,  Jessie  stood  waiting  for  a  car  on  the 
windy  street-corner,  with  the  ragged  slippers  under  her 
arm,  tears  of  weariness  and  vexation  in  her  eyes,  and 
a  resentful  feeling  against  an  unjust  fate  lying  heavy 
at  her  heart.  The  glimpses  of  her  old  gay,  easy  life, 
which  these  rehearsals  had  given  her,  made  the  real 
hardship  and  loneliness  of  her  present  life  all  the  more 
irksome,  and  that  night  she  felt  as  if  she  could  not 
bear  it  much  longer.  She  longed  with  all  a  girl's  love 
of  gayety  to  go  to  the  Kirmess,  and  no  one  thought 
to  invite  her.  She  could  not  go  alone  even  if  she 
yielded  to  temptation  and  spent  her  own  money. 
Laura  would  have  to  hire  a  carriage  if  she  ventured 
to  try  it ;  so  it  was  impossible,  for  six  or  seven  dollars 
was  a  fortune  to  the  poor  girls  now.  To  have  been 
one  of  the  happy  creatures  who  were  to  take  part  in 
it,  to  dance  en  the  green  in  a  dainty  costume  to  the 
music  of  a  full  band,  — to  see  and  do  and  enjoy  all  the 
delights  of  those  two  enchanting  evenings,  would  have 
filled  Jessie's  cup  to  overflowing.  But  since  she  might 
as  well  cry  for  the  moon  she  tried  to  get  some  comfort 
out  of  imagining  it  all  as  she  rumbled  home  in  a  snow 
storm,  and  cried  herself  to  sleep  after  giving  Laura 
a  cheerful  account  of  the  rehearsal,  omitting  the 
catastrophe. 

The  sun  shone  next  morning,  hope  woke  again,  and 
as  she  dressed  Jessie  sung  to  keep  her  heart  up,  still 
trusting  that  some  one  would  remember  her  before 
the  day  was  over.  As  she  opened  her  windows  the 


66  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

sparrows  welcomed  her  with  shrill  chirpings,  and  the 
sun  turned  the  snow-covered  vine  to  a  glittering  net 
work  very  beautiful  to  see  as  it  hung  like  a  veil  of 
lace  over  the  dingy  wall.  Jessie  smiled  as  she  saw  it, 
while  taking  a  long  breath  of  the  keen  air,  feeling 
cheered  and  refreshed  by  these  familiar  comforters  ; 
then  with  a  brave,  bright  glance  up  at  the  clear  blue 
sky  she  went  away  to  the  day's  duties,  little  guessing 
what  pleasant  surprises  were  on  their  way  to  reward 
her  for  the  little  sacrifices  which  were  teaching  her 
strength,  patience,  and  courage  for  greater  ones  by- 
and-by. 

All  the  morning  she  listened  eagerly  for  the  bell, 
but  nothing  came  ;  and  at  two  o'clock  she  went  away 
to  the  dancing-class,  saying  to  herself  with  a  sigh,  — 

"  Every  one  is  so  busy,  it  is  no  wonder  I  'm  for 
gotten.  I  shall  hear  about  the  fun  in  the  papers,  and 
try  to  be  contented  with  that." 

Though  she  never  felt  less  like  dancing,  she  was 
very  patient  with  her  little  pupils,  and  when  the 
lesson  was  over  sat  resting  a  moment,  with  her  head 
still  full  of  the  glories  of  the  Kirmess.  Suddenly 
Mademoiselle  came  to  her,  and  in  a  few  kind  words 
gave  her  the  first  of  the  pleasant  surprises  by  offering 
her  a  larger  salary,  an  older  class,  and  many  commen 
dations  for  her  skill  and  faithfulness.  Of  course  she 
gratefully  accepted  the  welcome  offer,  and  hurried 
home  to  tell  Laura,  forgetting  her  heavy  heart,  tired 
feet,  and  disappointed  hopes. 

At  her  own  door  the  second  surprise  stood  waiting 
for  her,  in  the  person  of  Mrs.  Fletcher's  servant  with 


AN    IVY   SPRAY   AND   LADIES'    SLIPPERS.          67 

a  large  box  and  a  note  from  Miss  Fanny.  How  she 
ever  got  herself  and  her  parcel  up  the  long  stairs 
Jessie  never  knew,  she  was  in  such  a  frantic  hurry  to 
see  what  that  vast  box  could  contain.  She  startled 
her  sister  by  bursting  into  the  room  breathless,  flushed, 
and  beaming,  with  the  mysterious  cry  of,  — 

"  Scissors  !  quick,  the  scissors  !  " 

Off  went  cords  and  papers,  up  flew  the  cover,  and 
with  a  shriek  of  rapture  Jessie  saw  the  well-known 
Hungarian  costume  lying  there  before  her.  What  it 
all  meant  she  could  not  guess,  till  she  tore  open  the 
note  and  read  these  delightful  words  ;  — 

DEAR  JESS,  —  My  cold  is  worse,  and  the  doctor  won't 
let  me  go  to-night.  Is  n't  it  dreadful  ?  Our  dance  will  be 
ruined  unless  you  will  take  my  place.  I  know  you  will  to 
oblige  us,  and  have  a  lovely  time.  Every  one  will  be  glad, 
you  do  it  so  much  better  than  I  can.  My  dress  will  fit 
you,  with  tucks  arid  reefs  here  and  there;  and  the  boots 
won't  be  much  too  large,  for  though  I  'in  fat  I  have  small 
feet,  thank  goodness  !  Mamma  will  call  for  you  at  seven, 
and  bring  you  safely  home;  and  you  must  come  early 
to-morrow  and  tell  me  all  about  it. 

In  the  small  box  you  will  find  a  little  token  of  our 
gratitude  to  you  for  your  kindness  in  helping  us  all  so 
much. 

Yours  ever,  FAN. 

As  soon  as  Jessie  could  get  her  breath  and  recover 
from  this  first  delightful  shock,  she  opened  the  dainty 
parcel  carefully  tied  up  with  pink  ribbons.  It  proved 
to  be  a  crystal  slipper,  apparently  full  of  rosebuds  ; 
but  under  the  flowers  lay  fivc-and-twenty  shining  gold 


68  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIKLS. 

dollars.  A  little  card  with  these  words  was  tucked  in 
one  corner,  as  if,  with  all  their  devices  to  make  the 
offering  as  delicate  and  pretty  as  possible,  the  givers 
feared  to  oifend  :  — 

"  We  return  to  our  dear  Princess  the  glass  slipper  which 
she  lost  at  the  ball,  full  of  thanks  and  good  wishes." 

If  the  kind  young  persons  who  sent  the  fanciful 
gift  could  have  seen  how  it  was  received,  their  doubts 
would  soon  have  been  set  at  rest ;  for  Jessie  laughed 
and  cried  as  she  told  the  story,  counted  the  precious 
coins,  and  filled  the  pretty  shoe  with  water  that  the 
buds  might  keep  fresh  for  Laura.  Then,  while  the  nee 
dles  flew  and  the  gay  garments  were  fitted,  the  happy 
voices  talked  and  the  sisters  rejoiced  together  over  this 
unexpected  pleasure  as  only  loving  girls  could  do. 

"  The  sweetest  part  of  all  the  splendid  surprise  is 
that  they  remembered  me  just  at  the  busiest  time, 
and  thanked  me  in  such  a  lovely  way.  I  shall  keep 
that  glass  slipper  all  my  life,  if  I  can,  to  remind  me 
not  to  despair ;  for  just  when  everything  seemed 
darkest,  all  this  good  luck  came,"  said  Jessie,  with 
ecstatic  skips  as  she  clanked  the  brass  heels  of  her 
boots  and  thought  of  the  proud  moment  when  she 
would  join  in  the  tzardas  before  all  Boston. 

Gentle  Laura  rejoiced  and  sympathized  heartily, 
sewed  like  a  busy  bee,  and  sent  her  happy  sister  away 
at  seven  o'clock  with  her  sweetest  smile,  never  letting 
her  suspect  what  tender  hopes  and  fears  were  hidden 
in  her  own  heart,  what  longing  and  disappointment 
made  her  days  doubly  sad  and  lonely,  or  how  very 


AN    IVY    SPKAY   AND    LADIES'    SLIPPERS.  G9 

poor  a  consolation  all  the  glories  of  the  Kirmess  would 
be  for  the  loss  of  a  friend  who  had  grown  very  near 
and  dear  to  her. 

No  need  to  tell  the  raptures  of  that  evening  to 
little  Jessie,  who  enjoyed  every  moment,  played  her 
part  well,  and  was  brought  home  at  midnight  ready 
to  begin  all  over  again,  so  inexhaustible  is  youth's 
appetite  for  pleasure. 

To  her  great  surprise,  Laura  was  up  and  waiting 
to  welcome  her,  with  a  face  so  full  of  a  new  and 
lovely  happiness  that  Jessie  guessed  at  once  some 
good  fortune  had  come  to  her  also.  Yes,  Laura's 
well-earned  reward  and  beautiful  surprise  had  arrived 
at  last ;  and  she  told  it  all  in  a  few  words  as  she  held 
out  her  arms  exclaiming,  — 

"  He  has  come  back  !  He  loves  me,  and  I  am  so 
happy  !  Dear  little  sister,  all  your  hard  times  are 
over  now,  and  you  shall  have  a  home  again." 

So  the  dreams  came  true,  as  they  sometimes  do 
even  in  this  work-a-day  world  of  ours,  when  the  dream 
ers  strive  as  well  as  hope,  and  earn  their  rewards. 

Laura  had  a  restful  summer  at  the  seaside,  with  a 
stronger  arm  than  Jessie's  to  lean  upon,  and  more 
magical  medicine  to  help  her  back  to  health  than 
any  mortal  doctor  could  prescribe.  Jessie  danced 
again  with  a  light  heart,  —  for  pleasure,  not  for  pay,  — 
and  found  the  new  life  all  the  sweeter  for  the  trials  of 
the  old  one.  In  the  autumn  there  was  a  quiet  wed 
ding,  before  three  very  happy  people  sailed  away  to 
Italy,  the  artist's  heaven  on  earth. 


70  A.   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  No  roses  for  me,"  said  Jessie,  smiling  at  herself 
in  the  mirror  as  she  fastened  a  spray  of  rosy  ivy- 
leaves  in  the  bosom  of  her  fresh  white  gown  that 
October  morning.  "  I  '11  be  true  to  my  old  friend  ; 
for  it  helped  me  in  my  dark  days,  and  now  it  shall 
rejoice  with  me  in  my  bright  ones,  and  go  on  teaching 
me  to  climb  bravely  and  patiently  toward  the  light." 


PANSIES. 

They  are  never  alone  that  are  accompanied  with  noble 
thoughts.  —  SIR  PHILIP  SIDNEY. 

"I  'VE  finished  my  book,  and  now  what  can  I  do  till 
this  tiresome  rain  is  over]"  exclaimed  Carrie,  as  she 
lay  back  on  the  couch  with  a  yawn  of  weariness. 

"Take  another  and  a  better  book;  the  house  is  full 
of  them,  and  this  is  a  rare  chance  for  a  feast  on  the 
best,"  answered  Alice,  looking  over  the  pile  of  volumes 
in  her  lap,  as  she  sat  on  the  floor  before  one  of  the  tall 
book-cases  that  lined  the  room. 

"  Xot  being  a  book-worm  like  you,  I  can't  read 
forever,  and  you  need  n't  sniff  at  '  Wanda,'  for  it 's 
perfectly  thrilling  !  "  cried  Carrie,  regretfully  turning 
the  crumpled  leaves  of  the  Seaside  Library  copy  of 
that  interminable  and  impossible  tale. 

"  We  should  read  to  improve  our  minds,  and  that 
rubbish  is  only  a  waste  of  time,"  began  Alice,  in  a 
warning  tone,  as  she  looked  up  from  "Romola,"  over 
which  she  had  been  poring  with  the  delight  one  feels 
in  meeting  an  old  friend. 

"  I  don't  wish  to  improve  my  mind,  thank  you  :  I 
read  for  amusement  in  vacation  time,  and  don't  want 
to  see  any  moral  works  till  next  autumn.  I  get  enough 


72  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

of  them  in  school.     This  is  n't  '  rubbish  ' !    It 's  full  of 
fine  descriptions  of  scenery  —  " 

"Which  you  skip  by  the  page,  I've  seen  you  do  it," 
said  Eva,  the  third  young  girl  in  the  library,  as  she 
shut  up  the  stout  book  on  her  knee  and  began  to  knit 
as  if  this  sudden  outburst  of  chat  disturbed  her  enjoy 
ment  of  "  The  Dove  in  the  Eagle's  Nest." 

'*  I  do  at  first,  being  carried  away  by  my  interest  in 
the  people,  but  I  almost  always  go  back  and  read  them 
afterward,"  protested  Carrie.  "  You  know  you  like  to 
hear  about  nice  clothes,  Eva,  and  Wanda's  were  simply 
gorgeous ;  white  velvet  and  a  rope  of  pearls  is  one  cos 
tume  ;  gray  velvet  and  a  silver  girdle  another ;  and 
Idalia  was  all  a  '  shower  of  perfumed  laces,'  and  scarlet 
and  gold  satin  mask  dresses,  or  primrose  silk  with 
violets,  so  lovely  !  I  do  revel  in  'em  !  " 

Both  girls  laughed  as  Carrie  reeled  off  this  list  of 
elegances,  with  the  relish  of  a  French  modiste. 

"  Well,  I  'm  poor  and  can't  have  as  many  pretty 
things  as  I  want,  so  it  is  delightful  to  read  about 
women  who  wear  white  quilted  satin  dressing-gowns 
and  olive  velvet  trains  with  Mechlin  lace  sweepers  to 
them.  Diamonds  as  large  as  nuts,  and  rivers  of  opals 
and  sapphires,  and  rubies  and  pearls,  are  great  fun  to 
read  of,  if  you  never  even  get  a  look  at  real  ones.  I 
don't  believe  the  love  part  does  me  a  bit  of  harm,  for 
we  never  see  such  languid  swells  in  America,  nor  such 
lovely,  naughty  ladies ;  and  Ouida  scolds  them  all,  so 
of  course  she  does  n't  approve  of  them,  and  that 's 
moral,  I  'm  sure." 

But  Alice  shook  her  head  again,  as  Carrie  paused 


PANSIES.  73 

out  of  breath,  and  said  in  her  serious  way  :  "  That 's 
the  harm  of  it  all.  False  and  foolish  things  are  made 
interesting,  and  we  read  for  that,  not  for  any  lesson 
there  may  be  hidden  under  the  velvet  and  jewels  and 
fine  words  of  your  splendid  men  and  women.  ^NTow, 
this  book  is  a  wonderful  picture  of  Florence  in  old  times, 
and  the  famous  people  who  really  lived  are  painted  in 
it,  and  it  has  a  true  and  clean  moral  that  we  can  all 
see,  and  one  feels  wiser  and  better  for  reading  it.  I  do 
wish  you  'd  leave  those  trashy  things  and  try  something 
really  good." 

"  I  hate  George  Eliot,  — so  awfully  wise  and  preachy 
and  dismal !  I  really  could  n't  wade  through  '  Daniel 
Deronda,'  though  *  The  Mill  on  the  Floss '  was  n't 
bad,"  answered  Carrie,  with  another  yawn,  as  she  re 
called  the  Jew  Mordecai's  long  speeches,  and  Daniel's 
meditations. 

"  I  know  you  'd  like  this,"  said  Eva,  patting  her 
book  with  an  air  of  calm  content ;  for  she  was  a  modest, 
common-sense  little  body,  full  of  innocent  fancies  and 
the  mildest  sort  of  romance.  "  I  love  dear  Miss  Yonge, 
with  her  nice,  large  families,  and  their  trials,  and  their 
pious  ways,  and  pleasant  homes  full  of  brothers  and 
sisters,  and  good  fathers  and  mothers.  I  'm  never  tired 
of  them,  and  have  read  '  Daisy  Chain '  nine  times  at 
least." 

"  I  used  to  like  them,  and  still  think  them  good  for 
young  girls,  with  our  own  'Queechy'  and  'Wide,  Wide 
World,'  and  books  of  that  kind.  Now  I  'm  eighteen 
I  prefer  stronger  novels,  and  books  by  great  men  and 
women,  because  these  are  always  talked  about  by  cul- 


74  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

tivated  people,  and  when  I  go  into  society  next  winter 
I  wish  to  be  able  to  listen  intelligently,  and  know  what 
to  admire." 

"  That 's  all  very  well  for  you,  Alice ;  you  were 
always  poking  over  books,  and  I  dare  say  you  will 
write  them  some  day,  or  be  a  blue-stocking.  But 
I  've  got  another  year  to  study  and  fuss  over  my 
education,  and  I  'm  going  to  enjoy  myself  all  I  can, 
and  leave  the  wise  books  till  I  come  out." 

"  But,  Carrie,  there  won't  be  any  time  to  read  them  ; 
you  '11  be  so  busy  with  parties,  and  beaux,  and  travel 
ling,  and  such  things.  I  would  take  Alice's  advice  and 
read  up  a  little  now  :  it's  so  nice  to  know  useful  things, 
and  be  able  to  find  help  and  comfort  in  good  books 
when  trouble  comes,  as  Ellen  Montgomery  and  Fleda 
did,  and  Ethel,  and  the  other  girls  in  Miss  Yonge's 
stories,"  said  Eva,  earnestly,  remembering  how  much 
the  efforts  of  those  natural  little  heroines  had  helped 
her  in  her  own  struggles  for  self-control  and  the 
cheerful  bearing  of  the  burdens  which  come  to  all. 

"  I  don't  want  to  be  a  priggish  Ellen,  or  a  moral 
Fleda,  and  I  do  detest  bothering  about  self-improve 
ment  all  the  time.  I  know  I  ought,  but  I  'd  rather 
wait  another  year  or  two,  and  enjoy  my  vanities  in 
peace  just  a  little  longer."  And  Carrie  tucked  Wanda 
under  the  sofa  pillow,  as  if  a  trifle  ashamed  of  her 
society,  with  Eva's  innocent  eyes  upon  her  own,  and 
Alice  sadly  regarding  her  over  the  rampart  of  wise 
books,  which  kept  growing  higher  as  the  eager  girl 
found  more  and  more  treasures  in  this  richly  stored 
library. 


PAXSIES.  75 

A  little  silence  followed,  broken  only  by  the  patter 
of  the  rain  without,  the  crackle  of  the  wood  fire  within, 
and  the  scratch  of  a  busy  pen  from  a  curtained  recess 
at  the  end  of  the  long  room.  In  the  sudden  hush  the 
girls  heard  it  and  remembered  that  they  were  not 
alone. 

"  She  must  have  heard  every  word  we  said  !  "  and 
Carrie  sat  up  with  a  dismayed  face  as  she  spoke  in  a 
whisper. 

Eva  laughed,  but  Alice  shrugged  her  shoulders,  and 
said  tranquilly,  "  I  don't  mind.  She  would  n't  expect 
much  wisdom  from  school-girls." 

This  was  cold  comfort  to  Carrie,  who  was  painfully 
conscious  of  having  been  a  particularly  silly  school-girl 
just  then.  So  she  gave  a  groan  and  lay  down  again, 
wishing  she  had  not  expressed  her  views  quite  so  freely, 
and  had  kept  Wanda  for  the  privacy  of  her  own  room. 

The  three  girls  were  the  guests  of  a  delightful  old 
lady,  who  had  known  their  mothers  and  was  fond  of 
renewing  her  acquaintance  with  them  through  their 
daughters.  She  loved  young  people,  and  each  summer 
invited  parties  of  them  to  enjoy  the  delights  of  her 
beautiful  country  'wise,  where  she  lived  alone  now, 
being  the  childless  widow  of  a  somewhat  celebrated 
man.  She  made  it  very  pleasant  for  her  guests,  leav 
ing  them  free  to  employ  a  part  of  the  day  as  they 
liked,  providing  the  best  of  company  at  dinner,  gay 
revels  in  the  evening,  and  a  large  house  full  of  curious 
and  interesting  things  to  examine  at  their  leisure. 

The  rain  had  spoiled  a  pleasant  plan,  and  business 
letters  had  made  it  necessary  for  Mrs.  Warburton  to 


76  A  GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

leave  the  three  to  their  own  devices  after  lunch.  They 
had  read  quietly  for  several  hours,  and  their  hostess 
was  just  finishing  her  last  letter  when  fragments  of 
the  conversation  reached  her  ear.  She  listened  with 
amusement,  unconscious  that  they  had  forgotten  her 
presence,  finding  the  different  views  very  characteristic, 
and  easily  explained  by  the  difference  of  the  homes 
out  of  which  the  three  friends  came. 

Alice  was  the  only  daughter  of  a  scholarly  man  and 
a  brilliant  woman  ;  therefore  her  love  of  books  and  de 
sire  to  cultivate  her  mind  was  very  natural,  but  the 
danger  in  her  case  would  be  in  the  neglect  of  other 
things  equally  important,  too  varied  reading,  and  a 
superficial  knowledge  of  many  authors  rather  than  a 
true  appreciation  of  a  few  of  the  best  and  greatest. 
Eva  was  one  of  many  children  in  a  happy  home,  with 
a  busy  father,  a  pious  mother,  and  many  domestic  cares, 
as  well  as  joys,  already  falling  to  the  dutiful  girl's  lot. 
Her  instincts  were  sweet  and  unspoiled,  and  she  only 
needed  to  be  shown  where  to  find  new  and  better  helpers 
for  the  real  trials  of  life,  when  the  childish  heroines 
she  loved  could  no  longer  serve  her  in  the  years  to 
come. 

Carrie  was  one  of  the  ambitious  yet  commonplace 
girls  who  wish  to  shine,  without  knowing  the  difference 
between  the  glitter  of  a  candle  which  attracts  moths, 
and  the  serene  light  of  a  star,  or  the  cheery  glow  of  a 
fire  round  which  all  love  to  gather.  Her  mother's 
aims  were  not  high,  and  the  two  pretty  daughters  knew 
that  she  desired  good  matches  for  them,  educated  them 
for  that  end,  and  expected  them  to  do  their  parts  when 


PANSIES.  77 

the  time  came.  The  elder  sister  was  now  at  a  water 
ing-place  with  her  mother,  and  Carrie  hoped  that  a 
letter  would  soon  come  telling  her  that  Mary  was  set 
tled.  During  her  stay  with  Mrs.  Warburton  she  had 
learned  a  good  deal,  and  was  unconsciously  contrasting 
the  life  here  with  the  frivolous  one  at  home,  made  up 
of  public  show  and  private  sacrifice  of  comfort,  dignity, 
and  peace.  Here  were  people  who  dressed  simply, 
enjoyed  conversation,  kept  up  their  accomplishments 
even  when  old,  and  were  so  busy,  lovable,  and  charm 
ing,  that  poor  Carrie  often  felt  vulgar,  ignorant,  and 
mortified  among  them,  in  spite  of  their  fine  breeding 
and  kindliness.  The  society  Mrs.  Warburton  drew 
about  her  was  the  best,  and  old  and  young,  rich  and 
poor,  wise  and  simple,  all  seemed  genuine,  —  glad  to 
give  or  receive,  enjoy  and  rest,  and  then  go  out  to 
their  work  refreshed  by  the  influences  of  the  place 
and  the  sweet  old  lady  who  made  it  what  it  was. 
The  girls  would  soon  begin  life  for  themselves,  and  it 
was  well  that  they  had  this  little  glimpse  of  really 
good  society  before  they  left  the  shelter  of  home  to 
choose  friends,  pleasures,  and  pursuits  for  themselves, 
as  all  young  women  do  when  once  launched. 

The  sudden  silence  and  then  the  whispers  suggested 
to  the  listener  that  she  had  perhaps  heard  something 
not  meant  for  her  ear ;  so  she  presently  emerged  with 
her  letters,  and  said,  as  she  came  smiling  toward  the 
group  about  the  fire,  — 

"  How  are  you  getting  through  this  long,  dull  after 
noon,  my  dears  1  Quiet  as  mice  till  just  now.  What 
woke  you  up  1  A  battle  of  the  books  1  Alice  looks 


78  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

as  if  she  had  laid  in  plenty  of  ammunition,  and  you 
were  preparing  to  besiege  her." 

The  girls  laughed,  and  all  rose,  for  Madam  War- 
burton  was  a  stately  old  lady,  and  people  involuntarily 
treated  her  with  great  respect,  even  in  this  mannerless 
age. 

"We  were  only  talking  about  books,"  began  Carrie, 
deeply  grateful  that  Wanda  was  safely  out  of  sight. 

"  And  we  could  n't  agree,"  added  Eva,  running  to 
ring  the  bell  for  the  man  to  take  the  letters,  for  she 
was  used  to  these  little  offices  at  home,  and  loved  to 
wait  on  Madam. 

"  Thanks,  my  love.  Now  let  us  talk  a  little,  if  you 
are  tired  of  reading,  and  if  you  like  to  let  me  share  the 
discussion.  Comparing  tastes  in  literature  is  always  a 
pleasure,  and  I  used  to  enjoy  talking  over  books  with 
my  girl  friends  more  than  anything  else." 

As  she  spoke,  Mrs.  Warburton  sat  down  in  the  chair 
which  Alice  rolled  up,  drew  Eva  to  the  cushion  at  her 
feet,  and  nodded  to  the  others  as  they  settled  again, 
with  interested  faces,  one  at  the  table  where  the  pile 
of  chosen  volumes  now  lay,  the  other  erect  upon  the 
couch  where  she  had  been  practising  the  poses  "  full 
of  languid  grace,"  so  much  affected  by  her  favorite 
heroines. 

"  Carrie  was  laughing  at  me  for  liking  wise  books 
and  wanting  to  improve  my  mind.  Is  it  foolish  and 
a  waste  of  time  1 "  asked  Alice,  eager  to  convince  her 
friend  and  secure  so  powerful  an  ally. 

"No,  my  dear,  it  is  a  very  sensible  desire,  and  I  wish 
more  girls  had  it.  Only  don't  be  greedy,  and  read  too 


PANSIES.  79 

much ;  cramming  and  smattering  is  as  bad  as  promis 
cuous  novel-reading,  or  no  reading  at  all.  Choose 
carefully,  read  intelligently,  and  digest  thoroughly 
each  book,  and  then  you  make  it  your  own,"  answered 
Mrs.  Warburton,  quite  in  her  element  now,  for  she 
loved  to  give  advice,  as  most  old  ladies  do. 

"  But  how  can  we  know  what  to  read  if  we  may  n't 
follow  our  tastes'?"  said  Carrie,  trying  to  be  interested 
and  "intelligent"  in  spite  of  her  fear  that  a  "school- 
marmy  "  lecture  was  in  store  for  her. 

"  Ask  advice,  and  so  cultivate  a  true  and  refined 
taste.  I  always  judge  people's  characters  a  good  deal 
by  the  books  they  like,  as  well  as  by  the  company  they 
keep  ;  so  one  should  be  careful,  for  this  is  a  pretty  good 
test.  Another  is,  be  sure  that  whatever  will  not  bear 
reading  aloud  is  not  fit  to  read  to  one's  self.  Many 
young  girls  ignorantly  or  curiously  take  up  books  quite 
worthless,  and  really  harmful,  because  under  the  fine 
writing  and  brilliant  color  lurks  immorality  or  the  false 
sentiment  which  gives  wrong  ideas  of  life  and  things 
which  should  be  sacred.  They  think,  perhaps,  that  no 
one  knows  this  taste  of  theirs;  but  they  are  mistaken,  for 
it  shows  itself  in  many  ways,  and  betrays  them.  Atti-1 
tudes,  looks,  careless  words,  and  a  morbid  or  foolishly 
romantic  view  of  certain  things,  show  plainly  that  thf 
maidenly  instincts  are  blunted,  and  harm  done  tha* 
perhaps  can  never  be  repaired." 

Mrs.  Warburton  kept  her  eyes  fixed  upon  the  tall  and 
irons  as  if  gravely  reproving  them,  which  was  a  great 
relief  to  Carrie,  whose  cheeks  glowed  as  she  stirred 
uneasily  and  took  up  a  screen  as  if  to  guard  them  from 


80  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

the  fire.  But  conscience  pricked  her  sharply,  and 
memory,  like  a  traitor,  recalled  many  a  passage  or 
scene  in  her  favorite  books  which  she  could  not  have 
read  aloud  even  to  that  old  lady,  though  she  enjoyed 
them  in  private.  Nothing  very  bad,  but  false  and 
foolish,  poor  food  for  a  lively  fancy  and  young  mind 
to  feed  on,  as  the  weariness  or  excitement  which  always 
followed  plainly  proved,  since  one  should  feel  refreshed, 
not  cloyed,  with  an  intellectual  feast. 

Alice,  with  both  elbows  on  the  table,  listened  with 
wide-awake  eyes,  and  Eva  watched  the  rain-drops 
trickle  down  the  pane  with  an  intent  expression, 
as  if  asking  herself  if  she  had  ever  done  this  naughty 
thing. 

"  Then  there  is  another  fault,"  continued  Mrs.  War- 
burton,  well  knowing  that  her  first  shot  had  hit  its 
mark,  and  anxious  to  be  just.  "  Some  book-loving  las 
sies  have  a  mania  for  trying  to  read  everything,  and 
dip  into  works  far  beyond  their  powers,  or  try  too 
many  different  kinds  of  self-improvement  at  once.  So 
they  get  a  muddle  of  useless  things  into  their  heads, 
instead  of  well-assorted  ideas  and  real  knowledge. 
They  must  learn  to  wait  and  select ;  for  each  age  has 
its  proper  class  of  books,  and  what  is  Greek  to  us  at 
eighteen  may  be  just  what  we  need  at  thirty.  One 
can  get  mental  dyspepsia  on  meat  and  wine  as  well 
as  on  ice-cream  and  frosted  cake,  you  know." 

Alice  smiled,  and  pushed  away  four  of  the  eight 
books  she  had  selected,  as  if  afraid  she  had  been  greedy, 
and  now  felt  that  it  was  best  to  wait  a  little. 

Eva  looked  up  with  some  anxiety  in  her  frank  eyes 


PANSIES.  81 

as  she  said,  "  Now  it  is  my  turn.  Must  I  give  up  my 
dear  homely  books,  and  take  to  Ruskin,  Kant,  or 
Plato  ? " 

Mrs.  Warburton  laughed,  as  she  stroked  the  pretty 
brown  head  at  her  knee. 

"  Not  yet,  my  love,  perhaps  never,  for  those  are  not 
the  masters  you  need,  I  fancy.  Since  you  like  stories 
about  every-day  people,  try  some  of  the  fine  biographies 
of  real  men  and  women  about  whom  you  should  know 
something.  You  will  find  their  lives  full  of  stirring, 
helpful,  and  lovely  experiences,  and  in  reading  of  these 
you  will  get  courage  and  hope  and  faith  to  bear  your 
own  trials  as  they  come.  True  stories  suit  you,  and 
are  the  best,  for  there  we  get  real  tragedy  and  comedy, 
and  the  lessons  all  must  learn." 

"Thank  you !  I  will  begin  at  once  if  you  will  kindly 
give  me  a  list  of  such  as  would  be  good  for  me,"  cried 
Eva,  with  the  sweet  docility  of  one  eager  to  be  all  that 
is  lovable  and  wise  in  woman. 

"  Give  us  a  list,  and  we  will  try  to  improve  in  the 
best  way.  You  know  what  we  need,  and  love  to  help 
foolish  girls,  or  you  would  n't  be  so  kind  and  patient  with 
us,"  said  Alice,  going  to  sit  beside  Carrie,  hoping  fur 
much  discussion  of  this,  to  her,  very  interesting  subject. 

"  I  will,  with  pleasure ;  but  I  read  few  modern  novels, 
so  I  may  not  be  a  good  judge  there.  Most  of  them 
seem  very  poor  stuff,  and  I  cannot  waste  time  even  to 
skim  them  as  some  people  do.  I  still  like  the  old- 
fashioned  ones  I  read  as  a  girl,  though  you  would 
laugh  at  them.  Did  any  of  you  ever  read  '  Thaddeus 
of  Warsaw  '  ?  " 

6 


A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  I  have,  and  thought  it  very  funny;  so  were  '  Eve 
lina  '  and  'Cecilia.'  I  wanted  to  try  Smollett  and 
Fielding,  after  reading  some  fine  essays  about  them, 
but  Papa  told  me  I  must  wait,"  said  Alice. 

"  Ah,  my  dears,  in  my  day,  Thaddeus  was  our  hero, 
and  we  thought  the  scene  where  he  and  Miss  Beaufort 
are  in  the  Park  a  most  thrilling  one.  Two  fops  ask 
Thaddeus  where  he  got  his  boots,  and  he  replies,  with 
withering  dignity,  '  Where  I  got  my  sword,  gentlemen.' 
I  treasured  the  picture  of  that  episode  for  a  long  time. 
Thaddeus  wears  a  hat  as  full  of  black  plumes  as  a 
hearse,  Hessian  boots  with  tassels,  and  leans  over 
Mary,  who  languishes  on  the  seat  in  a  short-waisted 
gown,  limp  scarf,  poke  bonnet,  and  large  bag,  —  the 
height  of  elegance  then,  but  very  funny  now.  Then 
William  Wallace  in  '  Scottish  Chiefs.'  Bless  me !  we 
cried  over  him  as  much  as  you  do  over  your  '  Heir 
of  Clifton,'  or  whatever  the  boy's  name  is.  You 
would  n't  get  through  it,  I  fancy ;  and  as  for  poor, 
dear,  prosy  Eichardson,  his  letter-writing  heroines 
would  bore  you  to  death.  Just  imagine  a  lover  say 
ing  to  a  friend,  '  I  begged  my  angel  to  stay  and  sip 
one  dish  of  tea.  She  sipped  one  dish  and  flew.' " 

"  Now,  I  'm  sure  that 's  sillier  than  anything  the 
Duchess  ever  wrote  with  her  five-o'clock  teas  and  flir 
tations  over  plum-cake  on  lawns,"  cried  Carrie,  as  they 
all  laughed  at  the  immortal  Lovelace. 

"I  never  read  Richardson,  but  he  could  n't  be  duller 
than  Henry  James,  with  his  everlasting  stories,  full  of 
people  who  talk  a  great  deal  and  amount  to  nothing. 
/  like  the  older  novels  best,  and  enjoy  some  of  Scott's 


PANSIES.  83 

and  Miss  Edgeworth's  better  than  Howells's,  or  any  of 
the  modern  realistic  writers,  with  their  elevators,  and 
paint-pots,  and  e very-day  people,"  said  Alice,  who 
wasted  little  time  on  light  literature. 

"  I  'm  glad  to  hear  you  say  so,  for  I  have  an  old- 
fashioned  fancy  that  I  'd  rather  read  about  people  as 
they  were,  for  that  is  history,  or  as  they  might  and  should 
be,  for  that  helps  us  in  our  own  efforts ;  not  as  they 
are,  for  that  we  know,  and  are  all  sufficiently  common 
place  ourselves,  to  be  the  better  for  a  nobler  and  wider 
view  of  life  and  men  than  any  we  are  apt  to  get,  so 
busy  are  we  earning  daily  bread,  or  running  after  for 
tune,  honor,  or  some  other  bubble.  But  I  must  n't 
lecture,  or  I  shall  bore  you,  and  forget  that  I  am  your 
hostess,  whose  duty  it  is  to  amuse." 

As  Mrs.  Warburton  paused,  Carrie,  anxious  to  change 
the  subject,  said,  with  her  eyes  on  a  curious  jewel  which 
the  old  lady  wore,  "  I  also  like  true  stories,  and  you 
promised  to  tell  us  about  that  lovely  pin  some  day. 
This  is  just  the  time  for  it,  —  please  do." 

"  With  pleasure,  for  the  little  romance  is  quite  apro 
pos  to  our  present  chat.  It  is  a  very  simple  tale,  and 
rather  sad,  but  it  had  a  great  influence  on  my  life,  and, 
this  brooch  is  very  dear  to  me." 

As  Mrs.  Warburton  sat  silent  a  moment,  the  girls 
all  looked  with  interest  at  the  quaint  pin  which  clasped 
the  soft  folds  of  muslin  over  the  black  silk  dress  which 
was  as  becoming  to  the  still  handsome  woman  as  the 
cap  on  her  white  hair  and  the  winter  roses  in  her 
cheeks.  The  ornament  was  in  the  shape  of  a  pansy ; 
its  purple  leaves  were  of  amethyst,  the  yellow  of  topaz, 


84  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

and  in  the  middle  lay  a  diamond  drop  of  dew.  Several 
letters  were  delicately  cut  on  its  golden  stem,  and  a 
guard  pin  showed  how  much  its  wearer  valued  it. 

"  My  sister  Lucretia  was  a  good  deal  older  than  I, 
for  the  three  boys  came  between,"  began  Mrs.  Warbur- 
ton,  still  gazing  at  the  fire,  as  if  from  its  ashes  the 
past  rose  up  bright  and  warm  again.  "She  was  a  very 
lovely  and  superior  girl,  and  I  looked  up  to  her  with 
wonder  as  well  as  adoration.  Others  did  the  same, 
and  at  eighteen  she  was  engaged  to  a  charming  man, 
who  would  have  made  his  mark  had  he  lived.  She 
was  too  young  to  marry  then,  and  Frank  Lyman  had 
a  fine  opening  to  practise  his  profession  at  the  South. 
So  they  parted  for  two  years,  and  it  was  then  that  he 
gave  her  the  brooch,  saying  to  her,  as  she  whispered 
how  lonely  she  should  be  without  him,  '  This  pensee 
is  a  happy,  faithful  thought  of  me.  Wear  it,  dearest 
girl,  and  don't  pine  while  we  are  separated.  Read 
and  study,  write  much  to  me,  and  remember,  "  They 
never  are  alone  that  are  accompanied  with  noble 
thoughts.'"" 

"  Was  n't  that  sweet  ? "  cried  Eva,  pleased  with  the 
beginning  of  the  tale. 

"So  romantic!"  added  Carrie,  recalling  the  "amber 
amulet"  one  of  her  pet  heroes  wore  for  years,  and  died 
kissing,  after  he  had  killed  some  fifty  Arabs  in  the 
desert. 

"  Did  she  read  and  study  ? "  asked  Alice,  with  a  soft 
color  in  her  cheek,  and  eager  eyes,  for  a  budding  ro 
mance  was  folded  away  in  the  depths  of  her  maidenly 
heart,  and  she  liked  a  love  story. 


PANSIES.  85 

"  I  '11  tell  you  what  she  did,  for  it  was  rather  re 
markable  at  that  day,  when  girls  had  little  schooling, 
and  picked  up  accomplishments  as  they  could.  The 
first  winter  she  read  and  studied  at  home,  and  wrote 
much  to  Mr.  Lyman.  I  have  their  letters  now,  and 
very  fine  ones  they  are,  though  they  would  seem  old- 
fashioned  to  you  young  things.  Curious  love  letters,  — 
full  of  advice,  the  discussion  of  hooks,  report  of  pro 
gress,  glad  praise,  modest  gratitude,  happy  plans,  and 
a  faithful  affection  that  never  wavered,  though  Lucre- 
tia  was  beautiful  and  much  admired,  and  the  dear 
fellow  a  great  favorite  among  the  brilliant  Southern 
women. 

"  The  second  spring,  Lucretia,  anxious  to  waste  no 
time,  and  ambitious  to  surprise  Lyman,  decided  to  go 
and  study  with  old  Dr.  Gardener  at  Portland.  He  fit 
ted  young  men  for  college,  was  a  friend  of  our  father's, 
and  had  a  daughter  who  was  a  very  wise  and  accom 
plished  woman.  That  was  a  very  happy  summer,  and 
Lu  got  on  so  well  that  she  begged  to  stay  all  winter. 
It  was  a  rare  chance,  for  there  were  no  colleges  for 
girls  then,  and  very  few  advantages  to  be  had,  and  the 
dear  creature  burned  to  improve  every  faculty,  that 
she  might  be  more  worthy  of  her  lover.  She  fitted 
herself  for  college  with  the  youths  there,  and  did 
wonders ;  for  love  sharpened  her  wits,  and  the  thought 
of  that  happy  meeting  spurred  her  on  to  untiring  ex 
ertion.  Lyman  was  expected  in  May,  and  the  wedding 
was  to  be  in  June  ;  but,  alas  for  the  poor  girl !  the 
yellow-fever  came,  and  he  was  one  of  the  first  victims. 
They  never  met  again,  and  nothing  was  left  her  of  all 


86  A    GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

that  happy  time  but  his  letters,  his  library,  and  the 
pansy." 

Mrs.  Warburton  paused  to  wipe  a  few  quiet  tears 
from  her  eyes,  while  the  girls  sat  in  sympathetic 
silence. 

"We  thought  it  would  kill  her,  that  sudden  change 
from  love,  hope,  and  happiness  to  sorrow,  death,  and 
solitude.  But  hearts  don't  break,  my  dears,  if  they 
know  where  to  go  for  strength.  Lucretia  did,  and  after 
the  first  shock  was  over  found  comfort  in  her  books, 
saying,  with  a  brave,  bright  look,  and  the  sweetest 
resignation,  '  I  must  go  on  trying  to  be  more  worthy 
of  him,  for  we  shall  meet  again  in  God's  good  time 
and  he  shall  see  that  I  do  not  forget.' 

"That  was  better  than  tears  and  lamentation,  and 
the  long  years  that  followed  were  beautiful  and  busy 
ones,  full  of  dutiful  care  for  us  at  home  after  our  mother 
died,  of  interest  in  all  the  good  works  of  her  time,  and 
a  steady,  quiet  effort  to  improve  every  faculty  of  her 
fine  mind,  till  she  was  felt  to  be  one  of  the  noblest 
women  in  our  city.  Her  influence  was  wide-spread ; 
all  the  intelligent  people  sought  her,  and  w7hen  she 
travelled  she  wras  welcome  everywhere,  for  cultivated 
persons  have  a  free-masonry  of  their  own,  and  are  rec 
ognized  at  once." 

"  Did  she  ever  marry  1 "  asked  Carrie,  feeling  that  no 
life  could  be  quite  successful  without  that  great  event 

"  Never.  She  felt  herself  a  widow,  and  wore  black 
to  the  day  of  her  death.  Many  men  asked  her  hand, 
but  she  refused  them  all,  and  was  the  sweetest  'old 
maid '  ever  seen,  —  cheerful  and  serene  to  the  very 


PASSIES.  87 

last,  for  she  was  ill  a  long  time,  and  found  her  solace 
and  stay  still  in  the  beloved  books.  Even  when  she 
could  no  longer  read  them,  her  memory  supplied  her 
with  the  mental  food  that  kept  her  soul  strong  while 
her  body  failed.  It  was  wonderful  to  see  and  hear 
her  repeating  fine  lines,  heroic  sayings,  and  comfort 
ing  psalms  through  the  weary  nights  when  no  sleep 
would  come,  making  friends  and  helpers  of  the  poets, 
philosophers,  and  saints  whom  she  knew  and  loved  so 
well.  It  made  death  beautiful,  and  taught  me  how 
victorious  an  immortal  soul  can  be  over  the  ills  that 
vex  our  mortal  flesh. 

"  She  died  at  dawn  on  Easter  Sunday,  after  a  quiet 
night,  when  she  had  given  me  her  little  legacy  of  let 
ters,  books,  and  the  one  jewel  she  had  always  worn, 
repeating  her  lover's  words  to  comfort  me.  I  had  read 
the  Commendatory  Prayer,  and  as  I  finished  she  whis 
pered,  with  a  look  of  perfect  peace,  'Shut  the  book, 
dear,  I  need  study  no  more ;  I  have  hoped  and  be 
lieved,  now  I  shall  know ; '  and  so  went  happily  away 
to  meet  her  lover  after  patient  waiting." 

The  sigh  of  the  wind  was  the  only  sound  that 
broke  the  silence  till  the  quiet  voice  went  on  again,  as 
if  it  loved  to  tell  the  story,  for  the  thought  of  soon 
seeing  the  beloved  sister  took  the  sadness  from  the 
memory  of  the  past. 

"  I  also  found  my  solace  in  books,  for  I  was  very 
lonely  when  she  was  gone,  my  father  being  dead,  the 
brothers  married,  and  home  desolate.  I  took  to  study 
and  reading  as  a  congenial  employment,  feeling  no  in 
clination  to  marry,  and  for  many  years  was  quite  con- 


88  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

tented  among  my  books.  But  in  trying  to  follow  in 
dear  Lucretia's  footsteps,  I  unconsciously  fitted  myself 
for  the  great  honor  and  happiness  of  my  life,  and 
curiously  enough  I  owed  it  to  a  book." 

Mrs.  Warburton  smiled  as  she  took  up  a  shabby 
little  volume  from  the  table  where  Alice  had  laid  it, 
and,  quick  to  divine  another  romance,  Eva  said,  like  a 
story-loving  child,  "  Do  tell  about  it !  The  other  was 
so  sad." 

"  This  begins  merrily,  and  has  a  wedding  in  it,  as 
young  girls  think  all  tales  should.  Well,  when  I  was 
about  thirty-five,  I  was  invited  to  join  a  party  of  friends 
on  a  trip  to  Canada,  that  being  the  favorite  jaunt  in 
my  young  days.  I  'd  been  studying  hard  for  some 
years,  and  needed  rest,  so  I  was  glad  to  go.  As  a  good 
book  for  an  excursion,  I  took  this  Wordsworth  in  my 
bag.  It  is  full  of  fine  passages,  you  know,  and  I  loved 
it,  for  it  was  one  of  the  books  given  to  Lucretia  by  her 
lover.  We  had  a  charming  time,  and  were  on  our  way 
to  Quebec  when  my  little  adventure  happened.  I  was 
in  raptures  over  the  grand  St.  Lawrence  as  we  steamed 
slowly  from  Montreal  that  lovely  summer  day.  I  could 
not  read,  but  sat  on  the  upper  deck,  feasting  my  eyes 
and  dreaming  dreams  as  even  staid  maiden  ladies  will 
when  out  on  a  holiday.  Suddenly  I  caught  the  sound 
of  voices  in  earnest  discussion  on  the  lower  deck,  and, 
glancing  down,  saw  several  gentlemen  leaning  against 
the  rail  as  they  talked  over  certain  events  of  great 
public  interest  at  that  moment.  I  knew  that  a  party 
of  distinguished  persons  were  on  board,  as  my  friend's 
husband,  Dr.  Tracy,  knew  some  of  them,  and  pointed 


PANSIES.  89 

out  Mr.  Warburton  as  one  of  the  rising  scientific  men 
of  the  day.  I  remembered  that  my  sister  had  met 
him  years  ago,  and  much  admired  him  both  for  his  own 
gifts  and  because  he  had  known  Lyman.  As  other 
people  were  listening,  I  felt  no  delicacy  about  doing 
the  same,  for  the  conversation  was  an  eloquent  one, 
and  well  worth  catching.  So  interested  did  I  become 
that  I  forgot  the  great  rafts  Bloating  by,  the  picturesque 
shores,  the  splendid  river,  and  leaned  nearer  and  nearer 
that  no  word  might  be  lost,  till  my  book  slid  out  of 
my  lap  and  fell  straight  down  upon  the  head  of  one  of 
the  gentlemen,  giving  him  a  smart  blow7,  and  knocking 
his  hat  overboard." 

"  Oh,  what  did  you  do  ? "  cried  the  girls,  much 
amused  at  this  unromantic  catastrophe. 

Mrs.  Warburton  clasped  her  hands  dramatically,  as 
her  eyes  twinkled  and  a  pretty  color  came  into  her 
cheeks  at  the  memory  of  that  exciting  moment. 

"  My  dears,  I  could  have  dropped  with  mortification  ! 
What  could  I  do  but  dodge  and  peep  as  I  waited  to  see 
the  end  of  this  most  untoward  accident  1  Fortunately 
I  was  alone  on  that  side  of  the  deck,  so  none  of  the 
ladies  saw  my  mishap,  and,  slipping  along  the  seat  to 
a  distant  corner,  I  hid  my  face  behind  a  convenient 
newspaper,  as  I  watched  the  little  flurry  of  fishing  up 
the  hat  by  a  man  in  a  boat  near  by,  and  the  merriment 
of  the  gentlemen  over  this  assault  of  William  Words 
worth  upon  Samuel  Warburton.  The  poor  book  passed 
from  hand  to  hand,  and  many  jokes  were  made  upon 
the  *  fair  Helen '  whose  name  was  written  on  the  paper 
cover  which  protected  it. 


90  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  'I  knew  a  Miss  Harper  once, — a  lovely  woman,  but 
her  name  was  not  Helen,  and  she  is  dead,  —  God  bless 
her ! '  I  heard  Mr.  Warburton  say,  as  he  flapped  his 
straw  hat  to  dry  it,  and  rubbed  his  head,  which  for 
tunately  was  well  covered  with  thick  gray  hair  at  that 
time. 

"  I  longed  to  go  down  and  tell  him  w^o  I  was,  but  I 
had  not  the  courage  to  face  all  those  men.  It  really 
was  most  embarrassing;  so  I  waited  for  a  more  pri 
vate  moment  to  claim  my  book,  as  I  knew  we  should 
not  land  till  night,  so  there  was  no  danger  of  losing 
it. 

" '  This  is  rather  unusual  stuff  for  a  woman  to  be 
reading.  Some  literary  lady  doubtless.  Better  look 
her  up,  Warburton.  You  '11  know  her  by  the  color  of 
her  stockings  when  she  comes  down  to  lunch,'  said  a 
jolly  old  gentleman,  in  a  tone  that  made  me  'rouge 
high,'  as  Evelina  says. 

"  '  I  shall  know  her  by  her  intelligent  face  and  con 
versation,  if  this  book  belongs  to  a  lady.  It  will  be 
an  honor  and  a  pleasure  to  meet  a  woman  who  enjoys 
Wordsworth,  for  in  my  opinion  he  is  one  of  our  truest 
poets,'  answered  Mr.  Warburton,  putting  the  book  in 
his  pocket,  with  a  look  and  a  tone  that  were  most  re 
spectful  and  comforting  to  me  just  then. 

"  I  hoped  he  would  examine  the  volume,  for  Lucre- 
tia's  and  Lyman's  names  were  on  the  fly  leaf,  and  that 
would  be  a  delightful  introduction  for  me.  So  I  said 
nothing  and  bided  my  time,  feeling  rather  foolish  when 
we  all  filed  in  to  lunch,  and  I  saw  the  other  party 
glancing  at  the  ladies  at  the  table.  Mr.  Warburton's 


PANSIES.  91 

eye  paused  a  moment  as  it  passed  from  Mrs.  Tracy  to 
me,  and  I  fear  I  blushed  like  a  girl,  my  dears,  for 
Samuel  had  very  fine  eyes,  and  I  remembered  the 
stout  gentleman's  unseemly  joke  about  the  stockings. 
Mine  were  white  as  snow,  for  I  had  a  neat  foot,  and  was 
fond  of  nice  hose  and  well-made  shoes.  I  am  so  still, 
as  you  see."  Here  the  old  lady  displayed  a  small  foot 
iii  a  black  silk  stocking  and  delicate  slipper,  with  the 
artless  pride  a  woman  feels,  at  any  age,  in  one  of  her 
best  points.  The  girls  gratified  her  by  a  murmur  of 
admiration,  and,  decorously  readjusting  the  folds  of  her 
gown,  she  went  on  with  the  most  romantic  episode  of 
her  quiet  life. 

11 1  retired  to  my  state-room  after  lunch  to  compose 
myself,  and  when  I  emerged,  in  the  cool  of  the  afternoon, 
my  first  glance  showed  me  that  the  hour  had  come, 
for  there  on  deck  was  Mr.  Warburton,  talking  to  Mrs. 
Tracy,  with  my  book  in  his  hand.  I  hesitated  a  mo 
ment,  for  in  spite  of  my  age  I  was  rather  shy,  and 
really  it  was  not  an  easy  thing  to  apologize  to  a  strange 
gentleman  for  dropping  books  on  his  head  and  spoiling 
his  hat.  Men  think  so  much  of  their  hats,  you  know. 
I  was  spared  embarrassment,  however,  for  he  saw  me 
and  came  to  me  at  once,  saying,  in  the  most  cor 
dial  manner,  as  he  showed  the  names  on  the  fly  leaf 
of  my  Wordsworth,  '  I  am  sure  we  need  no  other  in 
troduction  but  the  names  of  these  two  dear  friends 
of  ours.  I  am  very  glad  to  find  that  Miss  Helen  Har 
per  is  the  little  girl  I  saw  once  or  twice  at  your  father's 
house  some  years  ago,  and  to  meet  her  so  pleasantly 


92  A   GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

'•'  That  made  everything  easy  and  delightful,  and 
when  I  had  apologized  and  been  laughingly  assured 
that  he  considered  it  rather  an  honor  than  otherwise  to 
be  assaulted  by  so  great  a  man,  we  fell  to  talking  of 
old  times,  and  soon  forgot  that  we  were  strangers.  He 
was  twenty  years  older  than  I,  but  a  handsome  man, 
and  a  most  interesting  and  excellent  one,  as  we  all 
know.  He  had  lost  a  young  wife  long  ago,  and  had 
lived  for  science  ever  since,  but  it  had  not  made  him 
dry,  or  cold,  or  selfish.  He  was  very  young  at  heart 
for  all  his  wisdom,  and  enjoyed  that  holiday  like  a  boy 
out  of  school.  So  did  I,  and  never  dreamed  that  any 
thing  would  come  of  it  but  a  pleasant  friendship 
founded  on  our  love  for  those  now  dead  and  gone. 
Dear  me  !  how  strangely  things  turn  out  in  this  world 
of  ours,  and  how  the  dropping  of  that  book  changed 
my  life  !  Well,  that  was  our  introduction,  and  that 
first  long  conversation  was  followed  by  many  more 
equally  charming,  during  the  three  weeks  our  parties 
were  much  together,  as  both  were  taking  the  same 
trip,  and  Dr.  Tracy  was  glad  to  meet  his  old  friend. 

"  I  need  not  tell  you  how  delightful  such  society 
was  to  me,  nor  how  surprised  I  was  when,  on  the  last 
day  before  we  parted,  Mr.  Warburton,  who  had  an 
swered  many  questions  of  mine  during  these  long  chats 
of  ours,  asked  me  a  very  serious  one,  and  I  found  that 
I  could  answer  it  as  he  wished.  It  brought  me  great 
honor  as  well  as  happiness.  I  fear  I  was  not  worthy 
of  it,  but  I  tried  to  be,  and  felt  a  tender  satisfaction 
in  thinking  that  I  owed  it  to  dear  Lucretia,  in  part  at 
least ;  for  mv  effort  to  imitate  her  made  me  fitter  to 


PANSIES.  93 

become  a  wise  man's  wife,  and  thirty  years  of  very 
sweet  companionship  was  my  reward." 

As  she  spoke,  Mrs.  Warburton  bowed  her  head  be 
fore  the  portrait  of  a  venerable  old  man  which  hung 
above  the  mantel-piece. 

It  was  a  pretty,  old-fashioned  expression  of  wifely 
pride  and  womanly  tenderness  in  the  fine  old  lady, 
who  forgot  her  own  gifts,  and  felt  only  humility  and 
gratitude  to  the  man  who  had  found  in  her  a  comrade 
in  intellectual  pursuits,  as  well  as  a  helpmeet  at  home 
and  a  gentle  prop  for  his  declining  years. 

The  girls  looked  up  with  eyes  full  of  something  softer 
than  mere  curiosity,  and  felt  in  their  young  hearts 
how  precious  and  honorable  such  a  memory  must  be, 
how  true  and  beautiful  such  a  marriage  was,  and  how 
sweet  wisdom  might  become  when  it  went  hand  in 
hand  with  love. 

Alice  spoke  first,  saying,  as  she  touched  the  worn 
cover  of  the  little  book  writh  a  new  sort  of  respect, 
"  Thank  you  very  much  !  Perhaps  I  ought  not  to 
have  taken  this  from  the  corner  shelves  in  your  sanc 
tum  1  I  wanted  to  find  the  rest  of  the  lines  Mr. 
Thornton  quoted  last  night,  and  did  n't  stop  to  ask 
leave." 

"  You  are  welcome,  my  love,  for  you  know  how  to 
treat  books.  Yes,  those  in  that  little  case  are  my 
precious  relics.  I  keep  them  all,  from  my  childish 
hymn-book  to  my  great-grandfather's  brass-bound 
Bible,  for  by  and  by  when  I  sit  '  Looking  towards  Sun 
set,'  as  dear  Lydia  Maria  Child  calls  our  last  days,  I 
shall  lose  my  interest  in  other  books,  and  take  comfort 


94  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

in  these.  At  the  end  as  at  the  beginning  of  life  we 
are  all  children  again,  and  love  the  songs  our  mothers 
sung  us,  and  find  the  one  true  Book  our  best  teacher 
as  we  draw  near  to  God." 

As  the  reverent  voice  paused,  a  ray  of  sunshine 
broke  through  the  parting  clouds,  and  shone  full  on  the 
serene  old  face  turned  to  meet  it,  with  a  smile  that 
welcomed  the  herald  of  a  lovely  sunset. 

"  The  rain  is  over;  there  will  be  just  time  for  a  run 
in  the  garden  before  dinner,  girls.  I  must  go  and 
change  my  cap,  for  literary  ladies  should  not  neglect 
to  look  well  after  the  ways  of  their  household  and  keep 
themselves  tidy,  no  matter  how  old  they  may  be." 
And  with  a  nod  Mrs.  Warburton  left  them,  wondering 
what  the  effect  of  the  conversation  would  be  on  the 
minds  of  her  young  guests. 

Alice  went  away  to  the  garden,  thinking  of  Lucretia 
and  her  lover,  as  she  gathered  flowers  in  the  sunshine. 
Conscientious  Eva  took  the  Life  of  Mary  Somerville 
to  her  room,  and  read  diligently  for  half  an  hour,  that 
no  time  might  be  lost  in  her  new  course  of  study, 
Carrie  sent  Wanda  and  her  finery  up  the  chimney 
in  a  lively  blaze,  and,  as  she  watched  the  book  burn, 
decided  to  take  her  blue  and  gold  volume  of  Tennyson 
with  her  on  her  next  trip  to  Nahant,  in  case  any  eligi 
ble  learned  or  literary  man's  head  should  offer  itself 
as  a  shining  mark.  Since  a  good  marriage  was  the 
end  of  life,  why  not  follow  Mrs.  Warburton's  example, 
and  make  a  really  excellent  one  1 

When  they  all  met  at  dinner-time  the  old  lady  was 
pleased  to  see  a  nosegay  of  fresh  pansies  in  the  bosoms 


TANSIES.  9o 

of  her  three  youngest  guests,  and  to  hear  Alice  whk- 
per,  with  grateful  eyes,  — 

"  We  wear  your  (lower  to  show  you  that  we  don't 
mean  to  forget  the  lesson  you  so  kindly  gave  us,  and 
to  fortify  ourselves  with  '  noble  thoughts,'  as  you  and 
she  did." 


WATER-LILIES. 

A  PARTY  of  people,  young  and  old,  sat  on  the  piazza 
of  a  seaside  hotel  one  summer  morning,  discussing 
plans  for  the  day  as  they  waited  for  the  mail. 

"  Hullo  !  here  comes  Christie  Johnstone,"  exclaimed 
one  of  the  young  men  perched  on  the  railing,  who 
was  poisoning  the  fresh  air  with  the  sickly  scent  of  a 
cigarette. 

"  So  't  is,  with  '  Flucker,  the  baddish  bo}r,'  in  tow, 
as  large  as  life,"  added  another,  with  a  pleasant  laugh 
as  he  turned  to  look. 

The  new-comers  certainly  looked  somewhat  like 
Charles  Reade's  picturesque  pair,  and  every  one  watched 
them  with  idle  interest  as  they  drew  nearer.  A  tall, 
robust  girl  of  seventeen,  with  dark  eyes  and  hair,  a 
fine  color  on  her  brown  cheek,  and  vigor  in  every 
movement,  came  up  the  rocky  path  from  the  beach 
with  a  basket  of  lobsters  on  one  arm,  of  fish  on  the 
other,  and  a  wicker  tray  of  water-lilies  on  her  head. 
The  scarlet  and  silver  of  the  fish  contrasted  prettily 
with  the  dark  blue  of  her  rough  dress,  and  the  pile 
of  water  flowers  made  a  fitting  crown  for  this  bonny 
young  fish-wife.  A  sturdy  lad  of  twelve  came  lurch 
ing  after  her  in  a  pair  of  very  large  rubber  boots,  with 
a  dilapidated  straw  hat  on  the  back  of  his  head  and 
a  pail  on  either  arm. 


'  • 


"  A  tall,  robust  girl  of  seventeen  came  up  the  rocky  path  from  the  beach  ; 
a  sturdy  lad  of  twelve  came  lurchinj  after  her."  —  PAGE  96. 


WATER-LILIES.  97 

Straight  on  went  the  girl,  never  turning  head  or 
eyes  as  she  passed  the  group  on  the  piazza  and  van 
ished  round  the  corner,  though  it  was  evident  that 
she  heard  the  laugh  the  last  speech  produced,  for  the 
color  deepened  in  her  cheeks  and  her  step  quickened. 
The  boy,  however,  returned  the  glances  bent  upon  him, 
and  answered  the  smiles  with  such  a  cheerful  grin 
that  the  youth  with  the  cigarette  called  out,  — 

"  Good-morning,  Skipper !  Where  do  you  hail 
from  1  " 

"  Island,  yender,"  answered  the  boy,  with  a  gesture 
of  his  thumb  over  his  shoulder. 

"  Oh,  you  are  the  lighthouse-keeper,  are  you  1 " 
"  No,  I  ain't ;  me  and  Gramper  's  fishermen  now." 
"  Your  name  is    Flucker  Johnstone,  and  your   sis 
ter  's  Christie,  I  think  1 "  added  the  youth,  enjoying  the 
amusement  of  the  young  ladies  about  him. 
"  It 's  Sammy  Bowen,  and  hern  's  Ruth." 
"  Have  you  got  a  Boaz  over  there  for  her  ]  " 
"  No,  we  've  got  a  devil-fish,  a  real  whacker." 
This  unexpected  reply  produced    a   roar  from   the 
gentlemen,    while    the    boy  grinned    good-naturedly, 
though  without  the  least   idea   what   the  joke    was.' 
Pretty  Miss  Ellery,  who  had  been  told  that  she  had 
"  a  rippling  laugh,"  rippled  sweetly  as  she  leaned  over 
the  railing  to  ask,  — 

"  Are  those  lilies  in  your  pails  1  I  want  some  if 
they  are  for  sale." 

"  Sister  '11  fetch  'em  round  when  she  's  left  the  lobs. 
I  ain't  got  none ;  this  is  bait  for  them  fellers."  And 
as  if  reminded  of  business  by  the  yells  of  several  boys 


98  A    GARLAND    FOK    (J1KLS. 

who  had  just  caught  sight  of  him,  Sammy  abruptly 
weighed  anchor  and  ran  before  the  wind  toward  the 
stable. 

"  Funny  lot,  these  natives  !  Act  as  if  they  owned 
the  place,  and  are  as  stupid  as  their  own  fish,"  said 
the  youth  in  the  white  yachting-suit,  as  he  flung  away 
his  cigarette  end. 

"  Don't  agree  with  you,  Fred.  I  've  known  people 
of  this  sort  all  my  life,  and  a  finer  set  of  honest,  hard 
working,  independent  men  I  never  met,  —  brave  as 
lions  and  tender  as  women  in  spite  of  their  rough 
ways,"  answered  the  other  young  man,  who  wore  blue 
flannel  and  had  a  gold  band  on  his  cap. 

"  Sailors  and  soldiers  always  stand  by  one  another  ; 
so  of  course  you  see  the  best  side  of  these  fellows, 
Captain.  The  girls  are  fine  creatures,  I  grant  you  ; 
but  their  good  looks  don't  last  long,  more  's  the  pity  ! " 

"  Few  women 's  would  with  the  life  they  lead,  so  full 
of  hard  work,  suspense,  and  sorrow.  No  one  knows  till 
one  is  tried,  how  much  courage  and  faith  it  takes  to 
keep  young  and  happy  when  the  men  one  loves  are 
on  the  great  sea,"  said  a  quiet,  gray-haired  lady  as 
she  laid  her  hand  on  the  knee  of  the  young  man  in 
blue  with  a  look  that  made  him  smile  affectionately 
at  her,  with  his  own  brown  hand  on  hers. 

"  Should  n't  wonder  if  Ben  Bowen  was  laid  up, 
since  the  girl  brings  the  fish.  He  's  a  fine  old  fellow. 
I  've  been  to  No  Man's  Land  many  a  time  blue-fishing 
with  him  ;  must  ask  after  him,"  said  an  elderly  gen 
tleman  who  was  pacing  to  and  fro  yearning  for  the 
morning  papers. 


WATER-LILIES.  99 

"  We  might  go  over  to  the  island  and  have  a  chow 
der-party  or  a  fish-fry  some  moonlight  night.  I  have  n't 
been  here  for  several  years,  but  it  used  to  be  great 
fun,  and  I  suppose  we  can  do  it  now,"  suggested  Miss 
Ellery  with  the  laugh. 

"  By  Jove,  we  will !  And  look  up  Christie ;  ask  her 
when  she  comes  round/'  said  Mr.  Fred,  the  youthful 
dude,  untwining  his  languid  legs  as  if  the  prospect 
put  a  little  life  into  him. 

*'  Of  course  we  pay  for  any  trouble  we  give  \  these 
people  will  do  anything  for  money,"  began  Miss  Ellery  ; 
but  Captain  John,  as  they  called  the  sailor,  held  up 
his  hand  with  a  warning,  "  Hush !  she  's  coming,"  as 
Ruth's  weather-beaten  brown  hat  turned  the  corner. 

She  paused  a  moment  to  drop  the  empty  baskets, 
shake  her  skirts,  and  put  up  a  black  braid  that  had 
fallen  down  ;  then,  with  the  air  of  one  resolved  to  do 
a  distasteful  task  as  quickly  as  possible,  she  came  up 
the  steps,  held  out  the  rough  basket  cover,  and  said  in 
a  clear  voice,  — 

"Would  any  of  the  ladies  like  some  fresh  lilies? 
Ten  cents  a  bunch." 

A  murmur  from  the  ladies  expressed  their  admi 
ration  of  the  beautiful  flowers,  and  the  gentlemen 
pressed  forward  to  buy  and  present  every  bunch 
with  gallant  haste.  Ruth's  eyes  shone  as  the  money 
fell  into  her  hand,  and  several  voices  begged  her  to 
bring  more  lilies  w^hile  they  lasted. 

"I  didn't  know  the  darlings  would  grow  in  salt 
water,"  said  Miss  Ellery,  as  she  fondly  gazed  upon  the 
cluster  Mr.  Fred  had  just  offered  her. 


100  A   OAKLAND    FOK   G1KLS. 

"  They  don't.  There 's  a  little  fresh-water  pond 
on  our  island,  and  they  grow  there,  —  only  place  for 
miles  round; "  and  Ruth  looked  at  the  delicate  girl  in 
ruffled  white  lawn  and  a  mull  hat,  with  a  glance  of 
mingled  pity  for  her  ignorance  and  admiration  for 
her  beauty. 

"  How  silly  of  me  !  I  am  such  a  goose  ;  "  and  Miss 
Ellery  gurgled  as  she  hid  her  face  behind  her  red 
parasol. 

"Ask  about  the  fish-fry,"  whispered  Mr.  Fred, 
putting  his  head  behind  the  rosy  screen  to  assure 
the  pretty  creature  that  he  didn't  know  any  better 
himself. 

"  Oh  yes,  I  will ! "  and,  quite  consoled,  Miss  Ellery 
called  out,  "  Girl,  will  you  tell  me  if  we  can  have 
chowder-parties  on  your  rocks  as  we  used  to  a  few 
seasons  ago1?" 

"  If  you  bring  your  own  fish.  Grandpa  is  sick  and 
can't  get  'ern  for  you." 

"  We  will  provide  them,  but  who  will  cook  them 
for  us]  It's  such  horrid  work." 

"  Any  one  can  fry  fish  !  I  will  if  you  want  me  to  ; " 
and  Ruth  half  smiled,  remembering  that  this  girl  who 
shuddered  at  the  idea  of  pork  and  a  hot  frying-pan, 
used  to  eat  as  heartily  as  any  one  when  the  crisp 
brown  dinners  were  served  up. 

"Very  good;  then  we'll  engage  you  as  cook,  and 
come  over  to-night  if  it 's  clear  and  our  fishing  pros 
pers.  Don't  forget  a  dozen  of  the  finest  lilies  for  this 
lady  to-morrow  morning.  Pay  you  now,  may  not  be 
up  ;  "  and  Mr.  Fred  dropped  a  bright  silver  dollar  into 


WATER-LILIES.  101 

the  basket  with  a  patronizing  air,  intended  to  impress 
this  rather  too  independent  young  person  with  a 
proper  sense  of  her  inferiority. 

Rath  quietly  shook  the  money  out  upon  the 
door-mat,  and  said  with  a  sudden  sparkle  in  her  black 
eyes,  — 

"  It 's  doubtful  if  I  bring  any  more.  Better  wait 
till  I  do." 

"  I  'm  sorry  your  grandfather  is  sick.  I  '11  come 
over  and  see  him  by-and-by,  and  bring  the  papers  if 
he  would  like  some,"  said  the  elderly  gentleman  as  he 
came  up  with  a  friendly  nod  and  real  interest  in  his 
face. 

"Very  much,  thank  you,  sir.  He  is  very  feeble 
now ; "  and  Ruth  turned  with  a  bright  smile  to  wel 
come  kind  Mr.  Wallace,  who  had  not  forgotten  the 
old  man. 

"  Christie  has  got  a  nice  little  temper  of  her  own, 
and  don't  know  how  to  treat  a  fellow  when  he  wants 
to  do  her  a  favor,"  growled  Mr.  Fred,  pocketing  his 
dollar  with  a  disgusted  air. 

"  She  appears  to  know  how  to  treat  a  gentleman 
when  he  offers  one,"  answered  Blue  Jacket,  with 
a  twinkle  of  the  eye  as  if  he  enjoyed  the  other's 
discomfiture. 

"  Girls  of  that  class  always  put  on  airs  if  they  are 
the  least  bit  pretty,  —  so  absurd  !  "  said  Miss  Ellery, 
pulling  up  her  long  gloves  as  she  glanced  at  the  brown 
arms  of  the  fisher  maiden. 

"  Girls  of  any  class  like  to  be  treated  with  respect. 
Modesty  in  linsey-woolsey  is  as  sweet  as  in  muslin, 


102  A   GARLAND   FOR   GI11LS. 

my  dear,  and  should  be  even  more  admired,  according 
to  my  old-fashioned  way  of  thinking,"  said  the  gray- 
haired  lady. 

"  Hear  !  hear  !  "  murmured  her  sailor  nephew  with 
an  approving  nod. 

It  was  evident  that  Ruth  had  heard  also,  as  she 
turned  to  go,  for  with  a  quick  gesture  she  pulled 
three  great  lilies  from  her  hat  and  laid  them  on  the 
old  lady's  lap,  saying  with  a  grateful  look,  "  Thank 
you,  rna'ani." 

She  had  seen  Miss  Scott  hand  her  bunch  to  a  meek 
little  governess  who  had  been  forgotten,  and  this  was 
all  she  had  to  offer  in  return  for  the  kindness  which  is 
so  sweet  to  poor  girls  whose  sensitive  pride  gets  often 
wounded  by  trifles  like  these. 

She  was  going  without  her  baskets  when  Captain 
John  swung  himself  over  the  railing,  and  ran  after 
her  with  them.  He  touched  his  cap  as  he  met  her, 
and  was  thanked  with  as  bright  a  smile  as  that 
the  elder  gentleman  had  received ;  for  his  respectful 
"  Miss  Bowen "  pleased  her  much  after  the  rude 
"  Girl !  "  and  the  money  tossed  to  her  as  if  she  were 
a  beggar.  When  he  came  back  the  mail  had  arrived, 
and  all  scattered  at  once,  —  Mr.  Fred  to  spend  the  dol 
lar  in  more  cigarettes,  and  Captain  John  to  settle  care 
fully  in  his  button-hole  the  water-lily  Aunt  Mary  gave 
him,  before  both  young  men  went  off  to  play  tennis  as 
if  their  bread  depended  on  it. 

As  it  bid  fair  to  be  a  moonlight  night,  the  party  of  a 
dozen  young  people,  with  Miss  Scott  and  Mr.  Wallace 
to  act  as  matron  and  admiral  of  the  fleet,  set  oft'  to 


WATER-LILIES.  103 

the  Island  about  sunset.  Fish  in  abundance  had  been 
caught,  and  a  picnic  supper  provided  to  be  eaten  on 
the  rocks  when  the  proper  time  arrived.  They  found 
Sammy,  in  a  clean  blue  shirt  and  a  hat  less  like  a 
Feejee  headpiece,  willing  to  do  the  honors  of  the 
Island,  beaming  like  a  freckled  young  merman  as  he 
paddled  out  to  pull  up  the  boats. 

"  Fire  's  all  ready  for  kindiin',  and  Ruth  's  slicin '  the 
pertaters.  Hope  them  fish  is  cleaned?  "  he  added  with 
a  face  of  deep  anxiety ;  for  that  weary  task  would  fall 
tc  him  if  not  already  done,  and  the  thought  desolated 
his  boyish  soul. 

"  All  ready,  Sam  !  Lend  a  hand  with  these  baskets, 
and  then  steer  for  the  lighthouse;  the  ladies  want  to 
see  that  first,"  answered  Captain  John,  as  he  tossed  a 
stray  cookie  into  Sammy's  mouth  with  a  smile  that 
caused  that  youth  to  cleave  to  him  like  a  burr  all  the 
evening. 

The  young  people  scattered  over  the  rocks,  and  has 
tened  to  visit  the  points  of  interest  before  dark. 
They  climbed  the  lighthouse  tower,  and  paid  Aunt 
Nabby  and  Grandpa  a  call  at  the  weather-beaten  little 
house,  where  the  old  woman  lent  them  a  mammoth 
coffee-pot,  and  promised  that  Ruth  would  "  dish  up 
them  fish  in  good  shape  at  eight  punctooal."  Then 
they  strolled  away  to  see  the  fresh-water  pond  where 
the  lilies  grew. 

"  How  curious  that  such  a  thing  should  be  here 
right  in  the  middle  of  the  salt  sea  !  "  said  one  of  the 
girls,  as  they  stood  looking  at  the  quiet  pool  while  the 
tide  dashed  high  upon  the  rocks  all  about  them. 


104  A    GARLAND    FOE    GIRLS. 

"  Not  more  curious  than  how  it  is  possible  for  any 
thing  so  beautiful  and  pure  as  one  of  those  lilies  to 
grow  from  the  mud  at  the  bottom  of  the  pond.  The 
ugly  yellow  ones  are  not  so  out  of  place ;  but  no  one 
cares  for  them,  and  they  smell  horridly,"  added  another 
girl  in  a  reflective  tone. 

"  Instinct  sends  the  white  lily  straight  up  to  the 
sun  and  air,  and  the  strong  slender  stem  anchors  it 
to  the  rich  earth  below,  out  of  which  it  has  power 
to  draw  the  nourishment  that  makes  it  so  lovely  and 
keeps  it  spotless  —  unless  slugs  and  flies  and  boys 
spoil  it,"  added  Miss  Scott  as  she  watched  Mr.  Fred 
poke  and  splash  with  his  cane  after  a  half-closed  flower. 

"  The  naughty  things  have  all  shut  up  and  spoilt 
the  pretty  sight ;  I  'm  so  disappointed,"  sighed  Miss 
Ellery,  surveying  the  green  buds  with  great  disfavor 
as  she  had  planned  to  wear  some  in  her  hair  and 
act  Undine. 

"  You  must  come  early  in  the  morning  if  you  want 
to  see  them  at  their  best.  I  've  read  somewhere  that 
when  the  sun  first  strikes  them  they  open  rapidly, 
and  it  is  a  lovely  sight.  I  shall  try  to  see  it  some  day 
if  I  can  get  here  in  time,"  said  Miss  Scott. 

"  How  romantic  old  maids  are  !  "  whispered  one  girl 
to  another. 

"  So  are  young  ones  ;  hear  what  Floss  Ellery  is  say 
ing,"  answered  the  other ;  and  both  giggled  under  their 
big  hats  as  they  caught  these  words  followed  by  the 
rippling  laugh, — 

"All  flowers  open  and  show  their  hearts  when  the 
*un  shines  on  them  at  the  right  moment." 


WATER-LILIES.  105 

"  I  wish  human  flowers  would,"  murmured  Mr. 
Fred  ;  and  then,  as  if  rather  alarmed  at  his  own  re 
mark,  he  added  hastily,  "  I  '11  get  that  big  lily  out 
there  and  make  it  bloom  for  you." 

Trusting  to  an  old  log  that  lay  in  the  pond,  he  went 
to  the  end  and  bent  to  pull  in  the  half-shut  flower ;  but 
this  too  ardent  sun  was  not  to  make  it  blossom,  for  his 
foot  slipped  and  down  he  went  up  to  his  knees  in  mud 
and  water. 

"  Save  him  !  oh,  save  him  !  "  shrieked  Miss  Ellery, 
clutching  Captain  John,  who  was  laughing  like  a  boy, 
while  the  other  lads  shouted  and  the  girls  added  their 
shrill  merriment  as  poor  Fred  scrambled  to  the  shore 
a  wreck  of  the  gallant  craft  that  had  set  sail  in  spot 
less  white. 

"  What  the  deuce  shall  I  do?"  he  asked  in  a  tone 
of  despair  as  they  flocked  about  him  to  condole  even 
while  they  laughed. 

"  Roll  up  your  trousers  and  borrow  Sam's  boots. 
The  old  lady  will  dry  your  shoes  and  socks  while  you 
are  at  supper,  and  have  them  ready  to  wear  home," 
suggested  Captain  John,  who  was  used  to  duckings 
and  made  light  of  them. 

The  word  "  supper"  made  one  carnal-minded  youth 
sniff  the  air  and  announce  that  he  smelt  "  something 
good ; "  and  at  once  every  one  turned  toward  the  pic 
nic  ground,  like  chickens  hurrying  to  the  barn  at 
feeding-time.  Fred  vanished  into  the  cottage,  and  the 
rest  gathered  about  the  great  fire  of  driftwood  fast 
turning  to  clear  coals,  over  which  Ruth  was  beginning 
her  long  hot  task.  She  wore  a  big  apron,  a  red  hand- 


10G  A   GARLAND  FOK  GIKLS. 

kerchief  over  her  head,  had  her  sleeves  rolled  up,  and 
was  so  intent  on  her  work  that  she  merely  nodded 
and  smiled  as  the  new-comers  greeted  her  with  vary 
ing  degrees  of  courtesy. 

"  She  looks  like  a  handsome  gypsy,  with  her  dark 
face  and  that  red  thing  in  the  firelight.  I  wish  I  could 
paint  her,"  said  Miss  Scott,  who  was  very  young  at 
heart  in  spite  of  her  fifty  years  and  gray  head. 

"  So  do  I,  but  we  can  remember  it.  I  do  like  to 
see  a  girl  work  with  a  will,  even  at  frying  fish.  Most 
of  'em  dawdle  so  at  the  few  things  they  try  to  do. 
There 's  a  piece  of  energy  for  you  ! "  and  Captain  John 
leaned  forward  from  his  rocky  seat  to  watch  Ruth,  who 
just  then  caught  up  the  coffee-pot  about  to  boil  over, 
and  with  the  other  hand  saved  her  frying-pan  from 
capsizing  on  its  unsteady  bed  of  coals. 

"  She  is  a  nice  girl,  and  I  'm  much  interested  in 
her.  Mr.  Wallace  says  he  will  tell  us  her  story  by- 
and-by  if  we  care  to  hear  it.  He  has  known  the  old 
man  a  long  time." 

"  Don't  forget  to  remind  him,  Aunty.  I  like  a  yarn 
after  mess  ;  "  and  Captain  John  went  off  to  bring  the 
first  plate  of  fish  to  the  dear  old  lady  who  had  been  a 
mother  to  him  for  many  years. 

It  was  a  merry  supper,  and  the  moon  was  up  be 
fore  it  ended;  for  everything  "tasted  so  good"  the 
hearty  young  appetites  sharpened  by  sea  air  were 
hard  to  satisfy.  When  the  last  dinner  had  vanished 
and  nothing  but  olives  and  oyster  crackers  remained, 
the  party  settled  on  a  sloping  rock  out  of  range  of  the 
fire,  and  reposed  for  a  brief  period  to  recover  from  the 


WATER-LILIES.  107 

exertions  of  the  feast,  having,  like  the  heroes  in  the 
old  story,  "  eaten  mightily  for  the.  space  of  an  hour.'* 

Mr.  Fred  in  the  capacious  boots  was  a  never-failing 
source  of  amusement,  and  consequently  somewhat  sub 
dued.  But  Miss  Ellery  consoled  him,  and  much  food 
sustained  him  till  his  shoes  were  dry.  Ruth  re 
mained  to  clear  up,  and  Sammy  to  gorge  himself  on 
the  remnants  of  "  sweet  cake "  which  he  could  not 
bear  to  see  wasted.  So,  when  some  one  proposed  tell 
ing  stories  till  they  were  ready  to  sing,  Mr.  Wallace 
was  begged  to  begin. 

"  It  is  only  something  about  this  island,  but  you 
may  like  to  hear  it  just  now,"  said  the  genial  old  gen 
tleman,  settling  his  handkerchief  over  his  bald  head 
for  fear  of  cold,  and  glancing  at  the  attentive  young 
faces  grouped  about  him  in  the  moonlight. 

"  Some  twenty  years  ago  there  was  a  wreck  over 
there  on  those  great  rocks  ;  you  fellows  have  heard 
about  it,  so  I  '11  only  say  that  a  very  brave  sailor,  a 
native  of  the  Port  here,  swam  out  with  a  rope  and 
saved  a  dozen  men  and  women.  I  '11  call  him  Sam. 
Well,  one  of  the  women  was  an  English  governess,  and 
when  the  lady  she  was  with  went  on  her  way  after 
the  wreck,  this  pretty  girl  (who  by  the  way  was  a 
good  deal  hurt  trying  to  save  the  child  she  had  in 
charge)  was  left  behind  to  recover,  and  —  " 

"  Marry  the  brave  sailor  of  course,"  cried  one  of  the 
girls. 

"Exactly  !  and  a  very  happy  pair  they  were.  She 
had  no  family  who  wanted  her  at  home  ;  her  father 
had  been  a  clergyman,  I  believe,  and  she  was  well 


108  A  GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

born,  but  Sam  was  a  fine  fellow  and  earned  his  liv 
ing  honestly,  fishing  off  the  Banks,  as  half  the  men 
do  here.  Well,  they  were  very  happy,  had  two  chil 
dren,  and  were  saving  up  a  bit,  when  poor  Sam  and 
two  brothers  were  lost  in  one  of  the  great  storms 
which  now  and  then  make  widows  and  orphans  by 
the  dozen.  It  killed  the  wife  ;  but  Sam's  father,  who 
kept  the  lighthouse  here  then,  took  the  poor  children 
and  supported  them  for  ten  years.  The  boy  was  a 
mere  baby ;  the  girl  a  fine  creature,  brave  like  her 
father,  handsome  like  her  mother,  and  with  a  good 
deal  of  the  lady  about  her,  though  every  one  did  n't 
find  it  out." 

"Ahem!"  cried  the  sharp  girl,  who  began  to  under 
stand  the  point  of  the  story  now,  but  would  not  spoil 
it,  as  the  others  seemed  still  in  the  dark,  though  Miss 
Scott  was  smiling,  and  Captain  John  staring  hard  at 
the  old  gentleman  in  the  blue  silk  nightcap. 

"  Got  a  fly  in  your  throat  1 "  asked  a  neighbor  ;  but 
Kate  only  laughed  and  begged  pardon  for  inter 
rupting. 

"There's  not  much  more;  only  that  affair  was 
rather  romantic,  and  one  can't  help  wondering  how 
the  children  turned  out.  Storms  seem  to  have  been 
their  doom,  for  in  the  terrible  one  we  had  two  winters 
ago,  the  old  lighthouse-keeper  had  a  bad  fall  on  the 
icy  rocks,  and  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  girl,  the  light 
would  have  gone  out  and  more  ships  been  lost  on  this 
dangerous  point.  The  keeper's  mate  had  gone  ashore 
and  could  n't  get  back  for  two  days,  the  gale  raged  so 
fiercely  ;  but  he  knew  Ben  could  get  on  without  him, 


WATER-LILIES.  1U9 

as  he  had  the  girl  and  boy  over  for  a  visit.  In  winter 
they  lived  with  a  friend  and  went  to  school  at  the 
Port.  It  would  have  been  all  right  if  Ben  had  n't 
broken  his  ribs.  But  he  was  a  stout  old  salt ;  so  he 
told  the  girl  what  to  do,  and  she  did  it,  while  the  boy 
waited  on  the  sick  man.  For  two  days  and  nights 
that  brave  creature  lived  in  the  tower,  that  often 
rocked  as  if  it  would  come  down,  while  the  sleet  and 
snow  dimmed  the  lantern,  and  sea-birds  were  beaten 
to  death  against  the  glass.  But  the  light  burned 
steadily,  and  people  said,  *  All  is  well,'  as  ships  steered 
away  in  time,  when  the  clear  light  warned  them  of 
danger,  and  grateful  sailors  blessed  the  hands  that 
kept  it  burning  faithfully." 

"  I  hope  she  got  rewarded,"  cried  an  eager  voice,  as 
the  story-teller  paused  for  breath. 

"  'I  only  did  my  duty ;  that  is  reward  enough,'  she 
said,  when  some  of  the  rich  men  at  the  Port  heard  of 
it  and  sent  her  money  and  thanks.  She  took  the 
money,  however,  for  Ben  had  to  give  up  the  place, 
being  too  lame  to  do  the  work.  He  earns  his  living 
by  fishing  now,  and  puts  away  most  of  his  pension  for 
the  children.  He  won't  last  long,  and  then  they  must 
take  care  of  themselves  ;  for  the  old  woman  is  no  rela 
tion,  and  the  girl  is  too  proud  to  hunt  up  the  forgetful 
English  friends,  if  they  have  any.  But  I  don't  fear 
for  her ;  a  brave  lass  like  that  will  make  her  own  way 
anywhere." 

"  Is  that  all  1 "  asked  several  voices,  as  Mr.  Wallace 
leaned  back  and  fanned  himself  with  his  hat. 

"  That 's  all  of  the  first  and  second  parts ;  the  third  is 


110  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

yet  to  come.  When  I  know  it,  I  '11  tell  you  ;  perhaps 
next  summer,  if  we  meet  here  again." 

"  Then  you  know  the  girl  ?  What  is  she  doing 
now?"  asked  Miss  Ellery,  who  had  lost  a  part  of  the 
story  as  she  sat  in  a  shadowy  nook  with  the  pensive 
Fred. 

"  We  all  know  her.  She  is  washing  a  coffee-pot  at 
this  moment,  I  believe  ;  "  and  Mr.  Wallace  pointed  to  a 
figure  on  the  beach,  energetically  shaking  a  large  tin 
article  that  shone  in  the  moonlight. 

"  Ruth  1  Really  ]  How  romantic  and  interesting  !  " 
exclaimed  Miss  Ellery,  who  was  just  of  the  age,  as  were 
most  of  the  other  girls,  to  enjoy  tales  of  this  sort  and 
imagine  sensational  denouements. 

"  There  is  a  great  deal  of  untold  romance  in  the  lives 
of  these  toilers  of  the  sea,  and  I  am  sure  this  good  girl 
will  find  her  reward  for  the  care  she  takes  of  the  old 
man  and  the  boy.  It  costs  her  something,  I  've  dis 
covered,  for  she  wants  an  education,  and  could  get  it 
if  she  left  this  poor  place  and  lived  for  herself;  but 
she  won't  go,  and  works  hard  to  get  money  for  Grand 
pa's  comfort,  instead  of  buying  the  books  she  longs 
for.  I  think,  young  ladies,  that  there  is  real  heroism 
in  cheerfully  selling  lilies  and  frying  fish  for  duty's 
sake  when  one  longs  to  be  studying,  and  enjoying  a 
little  of  the  youth  that  comes  but  once,"  said  Mr. 
Wallace. 

"  Oh  dear,  yes,  so  nice  of  her  !  We  might  take  up 
a  contribution  for  her  when  we  get  home.  I  '11  head 
the  paper  with  pleasure  and  give  all  I  can  afford,  for 
it  must  be  so  horrid  to  be  ignorant  at  her  age.  I  dare 


WATER-LILIES.  Ill 

say  the  poor  thing  can't  even  read  ;  just  fancy  ! "  and 
Miss  Ellery  clasped  her  hands  with  a  sigh  of  pity. 

"  Very  few  girls  can  read  fit  to  be  heard  now-a- 
days,"  murmured  Miss  Scott. 

"  Don't  let  them  affront  her  with  their  money  ,  she 
will  fling  it  in  their  faces  as  she  did  that  donkey's  dollar. 
You  see  to  her  in  your  nice,  delicate  way,  Aunty,  and 
give  her  a  lift  •  if  she  will  let  you,"  whispered  Captain 
John  in  the  old  lady's  ear. 

"  Don't  waste  your  pity,  Miss  Florence.  Ruth  reads 
a  newspaper  better  than  any  woman  I  ever  knew.  I  've 
heard  her  doing  it  to  the  old  man,  getting  through 
shipping  news,  money-market,  and  politics  in  fine  style. 
1  would  n't  offer  her  money  if  I  were  you,  though  it  is 
a  kind  thought.  These  people  have  an  honest  pride 
in  earning  things  for  themselves,  and  I  respect  them 
for  it,"  added  Mr.  Wallace. 

"  Dear  me  !  I  should  as  soon  think  of  a  sand-skipper 
having  pride  as  one  of  these  fishy  folks  in  this  stupid 
little  place,"  observed  Mr.  Fred,  carefully  moving  his 
legs  into  the  shadow  as  the  creeping  moonlight  began 
to  reveal  the  hideous  boots. 

"  Why  not  1  I  think  they  have  more  to  be  proud  of, 
these  brave,  honest,  independent  people,  than  many 
who  never  earn  a  cent  and  swell  round  on  the  money 
their  fathers  made  out  of  pork,  rum,  or  —  any  other 
rather  unpleasant  or  disreputable  business,"  said  Cap 
tain  John,  with  the  twinkle  in  his  eye,  as  he  changed 
the  end  of  his  sentence,  for  the  word  "  pickles "  was 
on  his  lips  when  Aunt  Mary's  quick  touch  checked  it. 
Some  saucy  girl  laughed,  and  Mr.  Fred  squirmed,  for  it 


112  A   GAhLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

was  well  known  that  his  respectable  grandfather  whom 
he  never  mentioned  had  made  his  large  fortune  in  a 
pickle-factory. 

"  We  all  rise  from  the  mud  in  one  sense,  and 
all  may  be  handsome  flowers  if  we  choose  before  we  go 
back,  after  blooming,  to  ripen  our  seeds  at  the  bottom 
of  the  water  where  we  began,"  said  Miss  Scott's  refined 
voice,  sounding  softly  after  the  masculine  ones. 

"  I  like  that  idea !  Thank  you,  Aunt  Mary,  for 
giving  me  such  a  pretty  fancy  to  add  to  my  love  for 
water-lilies.  I  shall  remember  it,  and  try  to  be  a 
lovely  one,  not  a  bit  ashamed  to  own  that  I  came  from 
honest  farmer  stock,"  exclaimed  the  thoughtful  girl 
who  had  learned  to  know  and  love  the  sweet,  wise 
woman  who  was  so  motherly  to  all  girls. 

"  Hear !  hear  !  "  cried  Captain  John,  heartily ;  for  he 
was  very  proud  of  his  own  brave  name  kept  clean  and 
bright  through  a  long  line  of  sailor  kin. 

"  Now  let  us  sing  or  we  shall  have  no  time,"  sug 
gested  Miss  Ellery,  who  warbled  as  well  as  rippled, 
and  did  not  wish  to  lose  this  opportunity  of  singing 
certain  sentimental  songs  appropriate  to  the  hour. 

So  they  tuned  their  pipes  and  made  "  music  in  the 
air"  for  an  hour,  to  the  great  delight  of  Sammy,  who 
joined  in  every  song,  and  was  easily  persuaded  to  give 
sundry  nautical  melodies  in  a  shrill  small  voice  which 
convulsed  his  hearers  with  merriment. 

"  Euth  sings  awful  well,  but  she  won't  afore  folks," 
he  said,  as  he  paused  after  a  roaring  ditty. 

"  She  will  for  me ; "  and  Mr.  Wallace  went  slowly  up 
to  the  rock  not  far  away,  where  Euth  sat  alone  listen- 


WATER-LILIES.  113 

ing  to  the  music  as  she  rested  after  her  long  day's 
work. 

"Such  airs  !  "  said  Miss  Ellery,  in  a  sharp  tone;  for 
her  "  Wind  of  the  Summer  Night"  had  not  gone  well, 
owing  to  a  too  copious  supper.  "  Posing  for  Lorelei," 
she  added,  as  Ruth  began  to  sing,  glad  to  oblige  the 
kind  old  gentleman.  They  expected  some  queer  ballad 
or  droning  hymn,  and  were  surprised  when  a  clear  sweet 
voice  gave  them  "  The  Three  Fishers  "  and  "  Mary  on 
the  Sands  of  Dee"  with  a  simple  pathos  that  made  real 
music-lovers  thrill  with  pleasure,  and  filled  several 
pairs  of  eyes  with  tears. 

"  More,  please,  more  !  "  called  Captain  John,  as  she 
paused  ;  and  as  if  encouraged  by  the  hearty  applause 
her  one  gift  excited,  she  sang  on  as  easily  as  a  bird 
till  her  small  store  was  exhausted. 

"  I  call  that  music,"  said  Miss  Scott,  as  she  wiped 
her  eyes  with  a  sigh  of  satisfaction.  "  It  comes  from 
the  heart  and  goes  to  the  heart,  as  it  should.  Now 
we  don't  want  anything  else,  and  had  better  go  home 
while  the  spell  lasts." 

Most  of  the  party  followed  her  example,  and  went  to 
thank  and  say  good-night  to  Ruth,  who  felt  as  rich 
and  happy  as  a  queen  with  the  money  Mr.  Wallace 
had  slipped  into  her  pocket,  and  the  pleasure  which 
even  this  short  glimpse  of  a  higher,  happier  life  had 
brought  her  hungry  nature. 

As  the  boats  floated  away,  leaving  her  alone  on  the 

shore,  she  sent  her  farewell  ringing  over  the  water  in 

the  words  of  the  old  song,  "A  Life  on  the  Ocean  Wave  ;  " 

and  every  one  joined  in  it  with  a  will,  especially  Mr. 

8 


114  A    GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

Wallace  and  Captain  John  ;  and  so  the  evening  picnic 
ended  tunefully  and  pleasantly  for  all,  and  was  long 
remembered  by  several. 

After  that  day  many  "good  times"  came  to  Ruth 
and  Sammy  ;  and  even  poor  old  Grandpa  had  his  share, 
finding  the  last  summer  of  his  life  very  smooth  sail 
ing  as  he  slowly  drifted  into  port.  It  seemed  quite 
natural  that  Captain  John,  being  a  sailor,  should  like 
to  go  and  read  and  "  yarn  "  with  the  old  fisherman;  so 
no  one  wondered  when  he  fell  into  the  way  of  rowing 
over  to  the  Island  very  often  with  his  pocket  full  of 
newspapers,  and  whiling  away  the  long  hours  in  the 
little  house  as  full  of  sea  smells  and  salt  breezes  as  a 
shell  on  the  shore. 

Miss  Scott  also  took  a  fancy  to  go  with  her  nephew ; 
for,  being  an  ardent  botanist,  she  discovered  that  the 
Island  possessed  many  plants  which  she  could  not 
find  on  the  rocky  point  of  land  where  the  hotel  and 
cottages  stood.  The  fresh-water  pond  was  her  especial 
delight,  and  it  became  a  sort  of  joke  to  ask,  when  she 
came  home  brown  and  beaming  with  her  treasures  in 
tin  boxes,  bottles,  and  bunches,  — 

"  Well,  Aunt  Mary,  have  you  seen  the  water-lilies 
bloom  yet  ? "  and  she  always  answered  with  that  wise 
smile  of  hers,  — 

"  Not  yet,  but  I  'm  biding  my  time,  and  am  watching 
a  very  fine  one  with  especial  interest.  When  the  right 
moment  comes,  it  will  bloom  and  show  its  golden 
heart  to  me,  I  hope." 

Euth  never  quite  knew  how  it  came  about,  but 
books  seemed  to  find  their  way  to  the  Island  and 


WATER-LILIES.  115 

stay  there,  to  her  great  delight.  A  demand  for  lilies 
sprang  up,  and  when  their  day  was  over  marsh- 
rosemary  became  the  rage.  Sammy  found  a  market 
for  all  the  shells  and  gulls' wings  he  could  furnish, 
and  certain  old  curiosities  brought  from  many  voyages 
were  sold  for  sums  which  added  many  comforts  to  the 
old  sailor's  last  cruise. 

Now  the  daily  row  to  the  Point  was  a  pleasure,  not 
a  trial,  to  Ruth,  —  for  Mr.  Wallace  was  always  ready 
with  a  kind  word  or  gift ;  the  ladies  nodded  as  she 
passed,  and  asked  how  the  old  Skipper  was  to-day; 
Miss  Scott  often  told  her  to  stop  at  the  cottage  for 
some  new  book  or  a  moment's  chat  on  her  way  to  the 
boat,  and  Captain  John  helped  Sammy  with  his  fishing 
so  much  that  the  baskets  were  always  full  when  they 
came  home. 

All  this  help  and  friendliness  put  a  wonderful  energy 
and  sweetness  into  Ruth's  hard  life,  and  made  her 
work  seem  light,  her  patient  waiting  for  freedom  easier 
to  bear  cheerfully.  She  sang  as  she  stood  over  her 
wash-tub,  cheered  the  long  nights  of  watching  with 
the  precious  books,  and  found  the  few  moments  of 
rest  that  came  to  her  when  the  day's  work  was  done 
very  pleasant,  as  she  sat  on  her  rock,  watching  the 
lights  from  the  Point,  catching  the  sound  of  gay  mu 
sic  as  the  young  people  danced,  and  thinking  over  the 
delightful  talks  she  had  with  Miss  Scott.  Perhaps 
the  presence  of  a  blue  jacket  in  Grandpa's  little  bed 
room,  the  sight  of  a  friendly  brown  face  smiling  when 
she  came  in,  and  the  sonorous  murmur  of  a  man's 
voice  reading  aloud,  added  a  charm  to  the  girl's  hum- 


116  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

drum  life.  She  was  too  innocent  and  frank  to  deny 
that  she  enjoyed  these  new  friends,  and  welcomed 
both  with  the  same  eagerness,  saw  both  go  with  the 
same  regret,  and  often  wondered  how  she  ever  had  got 
on  without  them. 

But  the  modest  fisher-maiden  never  dreamed  of 
any  warmer  feeling  than  kindness  on  the  one  side  and 
gratitude  on  the  other ;  and  this  unconsciousness  was 
her  greatest  charm,  especially  to  Captain  John,  who 
hated  coquettes,  and  shunned  the  silly  girls  who 
wasted  time  in  idle  flirtation  when  they  had  far  better 
and  wholesomer  pastimes  to  enjoy.  The  handsome 
sailor  was  a  favorite,  being  handy  at  all  sorts  of  fun, 
and  the  oldest  of  the  young  men  at  the  Point.  He 
was  very  courteous  in  his  hearty  way  to  every  woman 
he  met,  from  the  stateliest  dowager  to  the  dow 
diest  waiter-girl,  but  devoted  himself  entirely  to  Aunt 
Mary,  and  seemed  to  have  no  eyes  for  younger  fairer 
faces. 

"  He  must  have  a  sweetheart  over  the  sea  some 
where,"  the  damsels  said  among  themselves,  as  they 
watched  him  pace  the  long  piazzas  alone,  or  saw  him 
swinging  in  his  hammock  with  eyes  dreamily  fixed  on 
the  blue  bay  before  him. 

Miss  Scott  only  smiled  when  curious  questions  were 
asked  her,  and  said  she  hoped  John  would  find  his 
mate  some  time,  for  he  deserved  the  best  wife  in  the 
world,  having  been  a  good  son  and  an  honest  boy  for 
six-and-twenty  years. 

"What  is  it,  Captain,  —  a  steamer  1"  asked  Mr. 
Fred,  as  he  came  by  the  cottage  one  August  afternoon, 


WATER-LILIES.  117 

with  his  usual  escort  of  girls,  all  talking  at  once  about 
some  very  interesting  affair. 

"  Only  a  sail-boat ;  no  steamers  to-day,"  answered 
Captain  John,  dropping  the  glass  from  his  eye  with 
a  start. 

"  Can  you  see  people  on  the  Island  with  that  thing  1 
We  want  to  know  if  Ruth  is  at  home,  because  if 
she  is  n't  we  can't  waste  time  going  over,"  said  Miss 
Ellery,  with  her  sweetest  smile. 

"  I  think  not.  That  boat  is  Sammy's,  and  as  there 
is  a  speck  of  red  aboard,  I  fancy  Miss  Ruth  is  with  him. 
They  are  coming  this  way,  so  you  can  hail  them  if  you 
like,"  answered  the  sailor,  with  "  a  speck  of  red  "  on 
his  own  sunburnt  cheek  if  any  one  had  cared  to  look. 

"  Then  we  '11  wait  here  if  we  may.  We  ordered  her 
to  bring  us  a  quantity  of  bulrushes  and  flowers  for 
our  tableaux  to-night,  and  we  want  her  to  be  Rebecca 
at  the  well.  She  is  so  dark,  and  with  her  hair  down, 
and  gold  bangles  and  scarlet  shawls,  I  think  she  would 
do  nicely.  It  takes  so  long  to  arrange  the  '  Lily 
Maid  of  Astolat'  we  must  have  an  easy  one  to  come 
just  before  that,  and  the  boys  are  wild  to  make  a 
camel  of  themselves,  so  we  planned  this.  Won't  you 
be  Jacob  or  Abraham  or  whoever  the  man  with  the 
bracelets  was  ? "  asked  Miss  Ellery,  as  they  all  settled 
on  the  steps  in  the  free-and-easy  way  which  prevailed 
at  the  Point. 

"  No,  thank  you,  I  don't  act.  Used  to  dance  horn 
pipes  in  my  young  days,  but  gave  up  that  sort  of 
thing  some  time  ago." 

"  How  unfortunate  !     Every  one  acts  ;  it 's  all  the 


118  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

fashion,"  began  Miss  Ellery,  rolling  up  her  blue  eyes 
imploringly. 

"  So  I  see  ;  but  I  never  cared  much  for  theatricals, 
I  like  natural  things  better." 

"  How  unkind  you  are !  I  quite  depended  on  you 
for  that,  since  you  would  n't  be  a  corsair." 

"  Fred  's  .the  man  for  such  fun.  He 's  going  to  star 
tle  the  crowd  with  a  regular  Captain  Kidd  rig,  pistols 
and  cutlasses  enough  for  a  whole  crew,  and  a  terrific 
beard." 

"  I  know  Ruth  won't  do  it,  Floss,  for  she  looked 
amazed  when  I  showed  her  my  Undine  costume,  and 
told  her  what  I  wanted  the  sea-weed  for.  '  Why, 
you  won't  stand  before  all  those  folks  dressed  that 
way,  will  you1?'  she  said,  as  much  scandalized  as  if 
she  'd  never  seen  a  low-necked  dress  and  silk  stockings 
before ;"  and  Miss  Perry  tossed  her  head  with  an  air 
of  pity  for  a  girl  who  could  be  surprised  at  the  display 
of  a  pretty  neck  and  arms  and  ankles. 

"  We  '11  hire  her,  then ;  she  's  a  mercenary  wretch 
and  will  do  anything  for  money.  I  won't  be  scrambled 
into  my  boat  in  a  hurry,  and  we  must  have  Rebecca 
because  I  've  borrowed  a  fine  pitcher  and  promised 
the  boys  their  camel,"  said  Miss  Ellery,  who  consid 
ered  herself  the  queen  of  the  place  and  ruled  like 
one,  in  virtue  of  being  the  prettiest  girl  there  and  the 
richest. 

"  She  has  landed,  I  think,  for  the  boat  is  off  again 
to  the  wharf.  Better  run  down  and  help  her  with  the 
bulrushes,  Fred,  and  the  rest  of  the  stuff  you  ordered," 
suggested  Captain  John,  longing  to  go  himself  but 


WATER-LILIES.  119 

kept  by  his  duty  as  host,  Aunt  Mary  being  asleep  up 
stairs. 

"  Too  tired.  Won't  hurt  her;  she's  used  to  work, 
and  we  must  n't  pamper  her  up,  as  old  ladies  say,"  an 
swered  Mr.  Fred,  enjoying  his  favorite  lounge  on  the 
grass. 

"  I  would  n't  ask  her  to  act,  if  you  '11  allow  me  to  say 
so,"  said  Captain  John,  in  his  quiet  way.  "That  sort 
of  thing  might  unsettle  her  and  make  her  discon 
tented.  She  steers  that  little  craft  over  there  and  is 
happy  now ;  let  her  shape  her  own  course,  and  remem 
ber  it  is  n't  well  to  talk  to  the  man  at  the  wheel." 

Miss  Perry  stared  ;  Miss  Kay,  the  sharp  girl,  nodded, 
and  Miss  Ellery  said  petulantly,  — 

"  As  if  it  mattered  what  she  thought  or  said  or  did  ! 
It 's  her  place  to  be  useful  if  we  want  her,  and  we 
need  n't  worry  about  spoiling  a  girl  like  that.  She 
can't  be  any  prouder  or  more  saucy  than  she  is,  and  I 
shall  ask  her  if  only  to  see  the  airs  she  will  put  on." 

As  she  spoke  Ruth  came  up  the  sandy  path  from 
the  beach  laden  with  rushes  and  weeds,  sunflowers  and 
shells,  looking  warm  and  tired  but  more  picturesque 
than  ever,  in  her  blue  gown  and  the  red  handkerchief 
she  wore  since  her  old  hat  blew  away.  Seeing  the 
party  on  the  cottage  steps,  she  stopped  to  ask  if  the 
things  were  right,  and  Miss  Ellery  at  once  made  her 
request  in  a  commanding  tone  which  caused  Ruth  to 
grow  very  straight  and  cool  and  sober  all  at  once,  and 
answer  decidedly,  — 

"  I  could  n't  anyway." 

"Why  not]" 


120  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  "Well,  one  reason  is  I  don't  think  it 's  right  to  act 
things  out  of  the  Bible  just  to  show  off  and  amuse 
folks." 

"  The  idea  of  minding  ! "  and  Miss  Ellery  frowned, 
adding  angrily,  "  We  will  pay  you  for  it.  I  find  people 
will  do  anything  for  money  down  here." 

"  We  are  poor  and  need  it,  and  this  is  our  best  time 
to  make  it.  I  'd  do  most  anything  to  earn  a  little,  but 
not  that ; "  and  Ruth  looked  as  proud  as  the  young 
lady  herself. 

"  Then  we  '11  say  no  more  if  you  are  too  elegant  to  do 
what  we  don't  mind  at  all.  I  '11  pay  you  for  this  stuff 
now,  as  I  ordered  it,  and  you  need  n't  bring  me  any 
more.  How  much  do  I  owe  you  1  "  asked  the  offended 
beauty,  taking  out  her  purse  in  a  pet. 

"  Nothing.  I  'm  glad  to  oblige  the  ladies  if  I  can, 
for  they  have  been  very  kind  to  me.  Perhaps  if  you 
knew  why  I  want  to  earn  money,  you  'd  understand 
me  better.  Grandpa  can't  last  long,  and  I  don't  want 
the  town  to  bury  him.  I  'm  working  and  saving  so 
he  can  be  buried  decently,  as  he  wants  to  be,  not  like 
a  pauper." 

There  was  something  in  Euth's  face  and  voice  as 
she  said  this,  standing  there  shabby,  tired,  and 
heavy-laden,  yet  honest,  dutiful  and  patient  for  love's 
sake,  that  touched  the  hearts  of  those  who  looked  and 
listened  ;  but  she  left  no  time  for  any  answer,  for  with 
the  last  word  she  went  on  quickly,  as  if  to  hide  the 
tears  that  dimmed  her  clear  eyes  and  the  quiver  of 
her  lips. 

"  Floss,  how  could  you  !  "  cried  Miss  Ray,  and  ran 


WATER-LILIES.  121 

to  take  the  sheaf  of  bulrushes  from  Ruth's  arms,  fol 
lowed  by  the  rest,  all  ashamed  and  repentant  now  that 
a  word  had  shown  them  the  hard  life  going  on  beside 
their  idle,  care-free  ones. 

Captain  John  longed  to  follow,  but  walked  into  the 
house,  growling  to  himself  with  a  grim  look,  — 

"  That  girl  has  no  more  heart  than  a  butterfly,  and 
I  'd  like  to  see  her  squirm  on  a  pin  !  Poor  Ruth  !  we  '11 
settle  that  matter,  and  bury  old  Ben  like  an  admiral, 
hang  me  if  we  don't !  " 

He  was  so  busy  talking  the  affair  over  with  Aunt 
Mary  that  lie  did  not  see  the  girl  flit  by  to  wait  for 
her  boat  on  the  beach,  having  steadily  refused  the 
money  offered  her,  though  she  accepted  the  apologies 
in  the  kindest  spirit. 

The  beach  at  this  hour  of  the  day  was  left  to  the 
nurses  and  maids  who  bathed  and  gossiped  while  the 
little  people  played  in  the  sand  or  paddled  in  the  sea. 
Several  were  splashing  about,  and  one  German  gov 
erness  was  scolding  violently  because  while  she  was  in 
the  bath-house  her  charge,  a  little  girl  of  six,  had 
rashly  ventured  out  in  a  flat-bottomed  tub,  as  they 
called  the  small  boats  used  by  the  gentlemen  to  reach 
the  yachts  anchored  in  deep  water. 

Ruth  saw  the  child's  danger  at  a  glance,  for  the 
tide  was  going  out,  carrying  the  frail  cockle-shell 
rapidly  away,  while  the  child  risked  an  upset  every 
moment  by  stretching  her  arms  to  the  women  on  the 
shore  and  calling  them  to  help  her. 

None  dared  to  try,  but  all  stood  and  wrung  their 
hands,  screaming  like  sea-gulls,  till  the  girl,  throwing 


122  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

off  shoes  and  heavy  skirt  plunged  in,  calling  cheerily, 
"  Sit  still !  I  '11  come  and  get  you,  Milly  !  " 

She  could  swim  like  a  fish,  but  encumbered  with 
her  clothes  and  weary  with  an  unusually  hard  day's 
work,  she  soon  found  that  she  did  not  gain  as  rapidly 
as  she  expected  upon  the  receding  boat.  She  did  not 
lose  courage,  but  a  thrill  of  anxiety  shot  through  her 
as  she  felt  her  breath  grow  short,  her  limbs  heavy,  and 
the  tide  sweep  her  farther  and  farther  from  the  shore. 

"  If  they  would  only  stop  screaming  and  go  for 
help,  I  could  keep  up  and  push  the  boat  in  ;  but  the 
child  will  be  out  presently  and  then  we  are  lost,  for  I 
can't  get  back  with  her,  I  'm  afraid." 

As  these  thoughts  passed  through  her  mind  Ruth 
was  swimming  stoutly,  and  trying  by  cheerful  words 
to  keep  the  frightened  child  from  risking  their  main 
chance  of  safety.  A  few  more  strokes  and  she  would 
reach  the  boat,  rest  a  moment,  then,  clinging  to  it, 
push  it  leisurely  to  shore.  Feeling  that  the  danger 
was  over,  she  hurried  on  and  was  just  putting  up 
her  hands  to  seize  the  frail  raft  and  get  her 
breath  when  Milly,  thinking  she  was  to  be  taken  in 
her  arms,  leaned  forward.  In  rushed  the  water, 
down  went  the  boat,  and  out  splashed  the  scream 
ing  child  to  cling  to  Ruth  with  the  desperate  clutch 
Bhe  dreaded. 

Both  went  under  for  a  moment,  but  rose  again  ; 
and  with  all  her  wits  sharpened  by  the  peril  of  the 
moment,  Ruth  cried,  as  she  kept  herself  afloat,  — 

"  On  my  back,  quick !  quick !  Don't  touch  my 
arms ;  hold  tight  to  my  hair,  and  keep  still." 


W  ATE  tt-LI  LIES.  123 

Not  realizing  all  the  danger,  and  full  of  faith  in 
Ruth's  power  to  do  anything,  after  the  feats  of  diving 
and  floating  she  had  seen  her  perform,  Milly  scram 
bled  up  as  often  before,  and  clung  spluttering  and 
gasping  to  Ruth's  strong  shoulders.  So  burdened, 
and  conscious  of  fast-failing  strength,  Ruth  turned 
toward  the  shore,  and  bent  every  power  of  mind  and 
body  to  her  task.  How  far  away  it  seemed  !  how  still 
the  women  were,  —  not  one  even  venturing  out  a  little 
way  to  help  her,  and  no  man  in  sight !  Her  heart 
seemed  to  stop  beating,  her  temples  throbbed,  her 
breath  was  checked  by  the  clinging  arms,  and  the 
child  seemed  to  grow  heavier  every  moment. 

"  I  '11  do  what  I  can,  but,  oh,  why  don't  some  one 
come  1 " 

That  was  the  last  thought  Ruth  was  conscious  of, 
as  she  panted  and  ploughed  slowly  back,  with  such  a 
set  white  face  and  wide  eyes  fixed  on  the  flag  that 
fluttered  from  the  nearest  cottage,  that  it  was  no  won 
der  the  women  grew  still  as  they  watched  her.  One 
good  Catholic  nurse  fell  on  her  knees  to  pray;  the 
maids  cried,  the  governess  murmured,  "  Mein  Gott,  I 
am  lost  if  the  child  go  drowned  !  "  and  clear  and  sweet 
came  the  sound  of  Captain  John's  whistle  as  he  stood 
on  his  piazza  waiting  to  row  Ruth  home. 

They  were  nearly  in,  a  few  more  strokes  and  she 
could  touch  the  bottom,  when  suddenly  all  grew  black 
before  her  eyes,  and  whispering,  "  I  '11  float.  Call, 
Milly,  and  don't  mind  me,"  Ruth  turned  over,  still 
holding  the  child  fast,  and  with  nothing  but  her  face 
out  of  water,  feebly  struggled  on. 


124  A  GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  Come  and  get  me !  She  's  going  down  !  Oh, 
come,  quick  ! "  called  the  child  in  a  tone  of  such  dis 
tress  that  the  selfish  German  bestirred  herself  at  last, 
and  began  to  wade  cautiously  in.  Seeing  help  at 
hand,  brave  little  Milly  soon  let  go,  and  struck  out 
like  an  energetic  young  frog,  while  Ruth,  quite  spent, 
sank  quietly  down,  with  a  dim  sense  that  her  last  duty 
was  done  and  rest  had  come. 

The  shrill  cries  of  the  women  when  they  saw  the 
steady  white  face  disappear  and  rise  no  more,  reached 
Captain  John's  ear,  and  sent  him  flying  down  the  path, 
sure  that  some  one  was  in  danger. 

"  Ruth  —  gone  down  —  out  there  !  "  was  all  he 
caught,  as  many  voices  tried  to  tell  the  tale  ;  and 
waiting  for  no  more,  he  threw  off  hat  and  coat,  and 
dashed  into  the  sea  as  if  ready  to  search  the  Atlantic 
till  he  found  her. 

She  was  safe  in  a  moment,  and  pausing  only  to  send 
one  girl  flying  for  the  doctor,  he  carried  his  streaming 
burden  straight  home  to  Aunt  Mary,  who  had  her 
between  blankets  before  a  soul  arrived,  and  was  rub 
bing  for  dear  life  while  John  fired  up  the  spirit  lamp 
for  hot  brandy  and  water,  with  hands  that  trembled 
as  he  splashed  about  like  an  agitated  Newfoundland 
fresh  from  a  swim. 

Ruth  was  soon  conscious,  but  too  much  exhausted 
to  do  or  say  anything,  and  lay  quietly  suffering  the 
discomforts  of  resuscitation  till  she  fell  asleep. 

"  Is  Milly  safe  1 "  was  all  she  asked,  and  being  as 
sured  that  the  child  was  in  her  mother's  arms,  and 
Sammy  had  gone  to  tell  Grandpa  all  about  it,  she 


WATER-LILIES.  125 

smiled  aiid  shut  her  eyes  with  a  whispered,  "  Then  it 's 
all  right,  thank  God  !  " 

All  that  evening  Captain  John  paced  the  piazza, 
and  warned  away  the  eager  callers,  who  flocked  down 
to  ask  about  the  heroine  of  the  hour  ;  for  she  was  more 
interesting  than  Undine,  the  Lily  Maid,  or  any  of  the 
pretty  creatures  attitudinizing  behind  the  red  curtains 
in  the  hot  hotel  parlor.  All  that  night  Aunt  Mary 
watched  the  deep  sleep  that  restored  the  girl,  and  now 
and  then  crept  out  to  tell  her  nephew  there  was  noth 
ing  to  fear  for  one  so  strong  and  healthful.  And  all 
night  Ruth  dreamed  strange  dreams,  some  weird  and 
dim,  some  full  of  pain  and  fear ;  but  as  the  fever  of 
reaction  passed  away,  lovely  visions  of  a  happy  place 
came  to  her,  where  faces  she  loved  were  near,  and  rest, 
and  all  she  longed  for  was  hers  at  last.  So  clear  and 
beautiful  was  this  dream  that  she  waked  in  the  early 
dawn  to  lie  and  think  of  it,  with  such  a  look  of  peace 
upon  her  face  that  Aunt  Mary  could  not  but  kiss  it 
tenderly  when  she  came  in  to  see  if  all  was  well. 

"  How  are  you,  dear  1  Has  this  nice  long  sleep  set 
you  up  again  as  I  hoped  1 " 

"  Oh  yes,  I  'm  quite  well,  thank  you,  and  I  must  go 
home.  Grandpa  will  worry  so  till  he  sees  me,"  an 
swered  Ruth,  sitting  up  with  her  wet  hair  on  her 
shoulders,  and  a  little  shiver  of  pain  as  she  stretched 
her  tired  arms. 

"  Not  yet,  my  dear  ;  rest  another  hour  or  two  and 
have  some  breakfast.  Then,  if  you  like,  John  shall 
take  you  home  before  any  one  comes  to  plague  you 
with  idle  questions.  I  'm  not  going  to  say  a  word,  ex- 


126  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

cept  that  I  'm  proud  of  my  brave  girl,  and  mean  to 
take  care  of  her  if  she  will  let  me." 

With  that  and  a  motherly  embrace,  the  old  lady 
bustled  away  to  stir  up  her  maid  and  wake  John  from 
his  first  nap  with  the  smell  of  coffee,  a  most  unroman- 
tic  but  satisfying  perfume  to  all  the  weary  watchers 
in  the  house. 

An  hour  later,  dressed  in  Miss  Scott's  gray  wrapper 
and  rose-colored  shawl,  Ruth  came  slowly  to  the  beach 
leaning  on  Captain  John's  arm,  while  Aunt  Mary 
waved  her  napkin  from  the  rocks  above,  and  sent  kind 
messages  after  them  as  they  pushed  off. 

It  was  the  loveliest  hour  of  all  the  day.  The  sun 
had  not  yet  risen,  but  sea  and  sky  were  rosy  with  the 
flush  of  dawn ;  the  small  \vaves  rippled  up  the  sand, 
the  wind  blew  fresh  and  fragrant  from  hayfields  far 
away,  and  in  the  grove  the  birds  were  singing,  as  they 
only  sing  at  peep  of  day.  A  still,  soft,  happy  time 
before  the  work  and  worry  of  the  world  began,  the 
peaceful  moment  which  is  so  precious  to  those  who 
have  learned  to  love  its  balm  and  consecrate  its  beauty 
with  their  prayers. 

Euth  sat  silent,  looking  about  her  as  if  she  saw  a 
new  heaven  and  earth,  and  had  no  words  in  which  to 
tell  the  feeling  that  made  her  eyes  so  soft,  sent  the 
fresh  color  back  into  her  cheeks,  and  touched  her  lips 
with  something  sweeter  than  a  smile. 

Captain  John  rowed  very  slowly,  watching  her 
with  a  new  expression  in  his  face ;  and  when  she 
drew  a  long  breath,  a  happy  sort  of  sigh,  he  leaned 
forward  to  ask,  as  if  he  knew  what  brought  it,  — 


WATER-LILIES.  127 

"You  are  glad  to  be  alive,  Ruth?" 

"  Oh,  so  glad  !  I  did  n't  want  to  die  ;  life  's  very 
pleasant  now,"  she  answered,  with  her  frank  eyes 
meeting  his  so  gratefully. 

"  Even  though  it 's  hard  1 " 

"  It  's  easier  lately  ;  you  and  dear  Miss  Mary  have 
helped  so  much,  I  see  my  way  clear,  and  mean  to  go 
right  on,  real  brave  arid  cheerful,  sure  I'll  get  my 
wish  at  last." 

"  So  do  I  ! "  and  Captain  John  laughed  a  queer, 
happy  laugh,  as  he  bent  to  his  oars  again,  with  the 
look  of  a  man  who  knew  where  he  was  going  and 
longed  to  get  there  as  soon  as  possible. 

"  I  hope  you  will.  I  wish  I  could  help  anyway  to 
pay  for  all  you  've  done  for  me.  I  know  you  don't 
want  to  be  thanked  for  fishing  rue  up,  but  I  mean  to 
do  it  all  the  same,  if  I  can,  some  time ;  "  and  Ruth's 
voice  was  full  of  tender  energy  as  she  looked  down 
into  the  deep  green  water  where  her  life  would  have 
ended  but  for  him. 

"  What  did  you  think  of  when  you  went  down  so 
quietly  1  Those  women  said  you  never  called  for  help 
once." 

"  I  had  no  breath  to  call.  I  knew  yon  were  near, 
I  hoped  you  'd  come,  and  I  thought  of  poor  Grandpa 
and  Sammy  as  I  gave  up  and  seemed  to  go  to 
sleep." 

A  very  simple  answer,  but  it  made  Captain  John 
beam  with  delight  •  and  the  morning  red  seemed  to 
glow  all  over  his  brown  face  as  he  rowed  across  the 
quiet  bay,  looking  at  Ruth  sitting  opposite,  so  changed 


128  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

by  the  soft  becoming  colors  of  her  dress,  the  late  dan 
ger,  and  the  dreams  that  still  lingered  in  her  mind, 
making  it  hard  to  feel  that  she  was  the  same  girl  who 
went  that  way  only  a  day  ago. 

Presently  the  Captain  spoke  again  in  a  tone  that 
was  both  eager  and  anxious,  — 

"I  'm  glad  my  idle  summer  has  n't  been  quite  wasted. 
It 's  over  now,  and  I  'm  off  in  a  few  days  for  a  year's 
cruise,  you  know." 

"  Yes,  Miss  Mary  told  me  you  were  going  soon.  I  '11 
miss  you  both,  but  maybe  you  '11  come  next  year  1 " 

"  I  will,  please  God  !  " 

"  So  will  I ;  for  even  if  I  get  away  this  fall,  I  'd  love 
to  come  again  in  summer  and  rest  a  little  while,  no 
matter  what  I  find  to  do." 

"  Come  and  stay  with  Aunt  Mary  if  this  home  is 
gone.  I  shall  want  Sammy  next  time.  I  've  settled 
that  with  the  Skipper,  you  know,  and  I  '11  take  good 
care  of  the  little  chap.  He  's  not  much  younger  than 
I  was  when  I  shipped  for  my  first  voyage.  You  '11  let 
him  goT' 

"  Anywhere  with  yon.  He's  set  his  heart  on  being 
a  sailor,  and  Grandpa  likes  it.  All  our  men  are,  and 
I  'd  be  one  if  I  were  a  boy.  I  love  the  sea  so,  I 
could  n't  be  happy  long  away  from  it." 

"  Even  though  it  nearly  drowned  you?" 

"  Yes,  I  'd  rather  die  that  -way  than  any  other.  But 
it  was  my  fault ;  I  should  n't  have  failed  if  I  had  n't 
been  so  tired.  I  Ve  often  swum  farther ;  but  I  'd  been 
three  hours  in  the  marsh  getting  those  things  for  the 
girls,  and  it  was  washing-day,  and  I  'd  been  up  nearly 


WATER-LILIES.  129 

all  night  with  Grandpa  ;  so  don't  blame  the  sea,  please, 
Captain  John." 

"  You  should  have  called  me ;  I  was  waiting  for  you, 
Ruth." 

"  I  did  n't  know  it.  I  'm  used  to  doing  things  my 
self.  It  might  have  been  too  late  for  Milly  if  I  'd 
waited." 

"  Thank  God,  I  was  n't  too  late  for  you.'1 

The  boat  was  at  the  shore  now ;  and  as  he  spoke 
Captain  John  held  out  his  hands  to  help  Ruth  down, 
for,  encumbered  with  her  long  dress,  and  still  weak 
from  past  suffering,  she  could  not  spring  to  land  as 
she  used  to  do  in  her  short  gown.  For  the  first 
time  the  color  deepened  in  her  cheek  as  she  looked 
into  the  face  before  her  and  read  the  meaning  of  the 
eyes  that  found  her  beautiful  and  dear,  and  the  lips 
that  thanked  God  for  her  salvation  so  fervently. 

She  did  not  speak,  but  let  him  lift  her  down, 
draw  her  hand  through  his  arm,  and  lead  her  up  the 
rocky  slope  to  the  little  pool  that  lay  waiting  for  the 
sun's  first  rays  to  wake  from  its  sleep.  He  paused 
there,  and  with  his  hand  on  hers  said  quietly,  — 

"  Ruth,  before  I  go  I  want  to  tell  you  something, 
and  this  is  a  good  time  and  place.  While  Aunt  Mary 
watched  the  flowers,  I  've  watched  you,  and  found 
the  girl  I  've  always  wanted  for  my  wife.  Modest 
and  brave,  dutiful  and  true,  that  's  what  I  love  ;  could 
you  give  me  all  this,  dear,  for  the  little  I  can  offer, 
and  next  year  sail  with  Sammy  and  a  very  happy 
man  if  you  say  yes  1 " 

"  I  'm    not    half  good    and  wise  enough  for  that ! 


130  A    OAKLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

Remember  what  I  am,"  began  Ruth,  bending  her  head 
as  if  the  thought  were  more  than  she  could  bear. 

"  I  do  remember,  and  I  'm  proud  of  it  !  Why, 
dear  heart,  I  've  worked  my  way  up  from  a  common 
sailor,  and  am  the  better  for  it.  Now  I  've  got  my 
ship,  and  I  want  a  mate  to  make  a  home  for  me 
aboard  and  ashore.  Look  up  and  tell  me  that  I 
did  n't  read  those  true  eyes  wrong." 

Then  Ruth  lifted  up  her  face,  and  the  sunshine 
showed  him  all  he  asked  to  know,  as  she  answered 
with  her  heart  in  her  voice  and  the  "  true  eyes  "  fixed 
on  his,  — 

"  I  tried  not  to  love  you,  knowing  what  a  poor 
ignorant  girl  I  am ;  but  you  were  so  kind  to  me,  how 
could  I  help  it,  John  ? " 

That  satisfied  him,  and  he  sealed  his  happy  thanks 
on  the  innocent  lips  none  had  kissed  but  the  little 
brother,  the  old  man,  and  the  fresh  winds  of  the  sea. 

One  can  imagine  the  welcome  they  met  at  the  small 
brown  house,  and  what  went  on  inside  as  Grandpa 
blessed  the  lovers,  and  Sammy  so  overflowed  with  joy 
at  his  enchanting  prospects,  that  he  was  obliged  to 
vent  his  feelings  in  ecstatic  jigs  upon  the  beach,  to 
the  great  amazement  of  the  gulls  and  sandpipers  at 
breakfast  there. 

No  one  at  the  Point,  except  a  certain  dear  old 
lady,  knew  the  pleasant  secret,  though  many  curious 
or  friendly  visitors  went  to  the  Island  that  day  to  see 
the  heroine  and  express  their  wonder,  thanks,  and  ad 
miration.  All  agreed  that  partial  drowning  seemed  to 
suit  the  girl,  for  a  new  Ruth  had  risen  like  Venus 


WATER-LILIES.  131 

from  the  sea.  A  softer  beauty  was  in  her  fresh  face 
now,  a  gentler  sort  of  pride  possessed  her,  and  a  still 
more  modest  shrinking  from  praise  and  publicity  be 
came  her  well.  No  one  guessed  the  cause,  and  she  was 
soon  forgotten  :  for  the  season  was  over,  the  summer 
guests  departed,  and  the  Point  was  left  to  the  few  cot 
tagers  who  loved  to  linger  into  golden  September. 

Miss  Mary  was  one  of  these,  and  Captain  John 
another;  for  he  remained  as  long  as  lie  dared,  to 
make  things  comfortable  for  the  old  man,  and  to  sit 
among  the  rocks  with  Ruth  when  her  day's  work  was 
done,  listening  while  his  "Mermaid,"  as  he  called 
her,  sang  as  she  had  never  sung  before,  and  let  him 
read  the  heart  he  had  made  his  own,  for  the  lily  was 
wide  open  now,  and  its  gold  all  his. 

With  the  first  frosts  Grandpa  died,  and  was  car 
ried  to  his  grave  by  his  old  comrades,  owing  no  man 
a  cent,  thanks  to  his  dutiful  granddaughter  and  the 
new  son  she  had  given  him.  Then  the  little  house 
was  deserted,  and  all  winter  Ruth  was  happy  with 
Aunt  Mary,  while  Sammy  studied  bravely,  and  lived  on 
dreams  of  the  joys  in  store  for  him  when  the  Captain 
came  sailing  home  again. 

Another  summer  brought  the  happy  day  when  the 
little  brown  house  was  set  in  order  for  a  sailor's  honey 
moon,  when  the  flag  floated  gayly  over  Miss  Mary's 
cottage,  and  Ruth  in  a  white  gown  with  her  chosen 
flowers  in  her  hair  and  bosom,  shipped  with  her  dear 
Captain  for  the  long  cruise  which  had  its  storms  and 
calms,  but  never  any  shipwreck  of  the  love  that  grew 
and  blossomed  with  the  water-lilies  by  the  sea. 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT. 

As  the  great  steamer  swung  round  into  the  stream 
the  cloud  of  white  handkerchiefs  waving  on  the  wharf 
melted  away,  the  last  good-byes  grew  fainter,  and 
those  who  went  and  those  who  stayed  felt  that  the 
parting  was  over,  — 

f    "It  may  be  for  years,  and  it  may  be  forever," 
as  the  song  says. 

With  only  one  of  the  many  groups  on  the  deck 
need  we  concern  ourselves,  and  a  few  words  will  in 
troduce  our  fellow-travellers.  A  brisk  middle-aged 
lady  leaned  on  the  arm  of  a  middle-aged  gentleman 
in  spectacles,  both  wearing  the  calmly  cheerful  air  of 
people  used  to  such  scenes,  and  conscious  only  of  the 
relief  change  of  place  brings  to  active  minds  and  busy 
lives. 

Before  them  stood  two  girls,  evidently  their  charges, 
and  as  evidently  not  sisters,  for  in  all  respects  they 
were  a  great  contrast.  The  younger  was  a  gay  crea 
ture  of  seventeen,  in  an  effective  costume  of  navy-blue 
and  white,  with  bright  hair  blowing  in  the  wind, 
sparkling  eyes  roving  ever}rwhere,  lively  tongue  go 
ing,  and  an  air  of  girlish  excitement  pleasant  to  see. 
Both  hands  were  full  of  farewell  bouquets,  which  she 
surveyed  with  more  pride  than  tenderness  as  she 


TOPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  133 

glanced  at  another  group  of  girls  less  blessed  with 
floral  offerings. 

Her  companion  was  a  small,  quiet  person,  some 
years  older  than  herself,  very  simply  dressed,  laden 
with  wraps,  and  apparently  conscious  just  then  of 
nothing  but  three  dark  specks  on  the  wharf,  as  she 
still  waved  her  little  white  flag,  and  looked  shoreward 
with  eyes  too  dim  for  seeing.  A  sweet,  modest  face 
it  was,  with  intelligent  eyes,  a  firm  mouth,  and  the 
look  of  one  who  had  early  learned  self-reliance  and 
self-control. 

The  lady  and  gentleman  watched  the  pair  with  in 
terest  and  amusement;  for  both  liked  young  people, 
and  were  anxious  to  know  these  two  better,  since  they 
were  to  be  their  guides  and  guardians  for  six  months. 
Professor  Homer  was  going  abroad  to  look  up  certain 
important  facts  for  his  great  historical  work,  and  as 
usual  took  his  wife  with  him ;  for  they  had  no  family, 
and  the  good  lady  was  ready  to  march  to  any  quarter 
of  the  globe  at  short  notice.  Fearing  to  be  lonely 
while  her  husband  pored  over  old  papers  in  foreign 
libraries,  Mrs.  Homer  had  invited  Ethel  Amory,  a 
friend's  daughter,  to  accompany  her.  Of  course  the 
invitation  was  gladly  accepted,  for  it  was  a  rare  oppor 
tunity  to  travel  in  such  company,  and  Ethel  was  wild 
with  delight  at  the  idea.  One  thorn,  however,  vexed 
her,  among  the  roses  with  which  her  way  seemed 
strewn.  Mamma  would  not  let  her  take  a  French 
maid,  but  preferred  a  young  lady  as  companion  ;  for, 
three  being  an  awkward  number,  a  fourth  party  would 
be  not  only  convenient,  but  necessary  on  the  girl's  ac* 


134  A    OAKLAND   FOR  GIKL.S. 

count,  since  she  was  not  used  to  take  care  of  herself 
and  Mrs.  Homer  could  only  be  expected  to  act  as 
chaperone. 

"Jane  Bassett  is  just  the  person  I  want,  and  Jane 
shall  go.  She  needs  a  change  after  teaching  all  these 
years ;  it  will  do  her  a  world  of  good,  for  she  will  im 
prove  and  enjoy  every  moment,  and  the  salary  I  shall 
offer  her  will  make  it  worth  her  while,"  said  Mrs. 
Amory,  as  she  discussed  the  plan  with  her  daughter. 

"  She  is  only  three  years  older  than  I  am,  and  I 
hate  to  be  taken  care  of,  and  watched,  and  fussed 
over.  I  can  order  a  maid  round,  but  a  companion  is 
worse  than  a  governess;  such  people  are  always  sen 
sitive  and  proud,  and  hard  to  get  on  with.  Every  one 
takes  a  maid,  and  I  'd  set  rny  heart  on  that  nice  Marie 
who  wants  to  go  home,  and  talks  such  lovely  French. 
Do  let  rue  have  her,  Mamrna  ! "  begged  Ethel,  who 
was  a  spoiled  child  and  usually  got  her  own  way. 

But  for  once  Mamma  stood  firm,  having  a  strong 
desire  to  benefit  her  daughter  by  the  society  of  better 
companions  than  the  gay  girls  of  her  own  set,  also  to 
give  a  great  pleasure  to  good  little  Jane  Bassett,  who 
had  been  governessing  ever  since  she  was  sixteen, 
with  very  few  vacations  in  her  hard,  dutiful  life. 

4i  Xo,  darling,  I  have  asked  Jane,  and  if  her  mother 
can  spare  her,  Jane  it  shall  be.  She  is  just  what  you 
need,  —  sensible  and  kind,  intelligent  and  capable  ;  not 
ashamed  to  do  anything  for  you,  and  able  to  teach 
you  a  great  deal  in  a  pleasant  way.  Mrs.  Homer  ap 
proves  of  her,  and  I  am  sure  you  will  be  glad  by-and- 
by ;  for  travelling  is  not  all  "fun,"  as  you  expect,  and 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  135 

I  don't  want  you  to  bo  a  burden  on  our  friends.  You 
two  young  thing*  can  take  care  of  each  other  while 
the  Professor  and  his  wife  are  busy  with  their  own 
affairs;  and  Jane  is  a  far  better  companion  for  you 
than  that  coquettish  French  woman,  who  will  prob 
ably  leave  you  in  the  lurch  as  soon  as  you  reach 
Paris.  I  should  n't  have  a  moment's  peace  if  you 
were  left  with  her,  but  I  have  entire  confidence  in 
Jane  Raggett  because  she  is  faithful,  discreet,  and  a 
true  lady  in  all  things." 

There  was  no  more  to  be  said,  and  Ethel  pouted  in 
vain.  Jane  accepted  the  place  with  joy  j  and  after  a 
rnonih  of  delightful  hurry  they  were  off,  one  all  eager 
ness  for  the  new  world,  the  other  full  of  tender  regret 
for  the  dear  souls  left  behind.  How  they  got  on,  and 
what  they  learned,  remains  to  be  told. 

"  Come,  Miss  Bassett,  we  can't  see  them  any  longer, 
so  we  may  a»  well  begin  to  enjoy  ourselves.  You 
might  take  those  things  down  below,  and  settle  the 
stateroom  a  bit ;  I  'rn  going  to  walk  about  and  get 
rny  bearings  before  lunch.  You  will  find  me  some 
where  round." 

Kthel  spoke  with  a  little  tone  of  command,  having 
made  up  her  mind  to  be  mistress  and  keep  Jane 
Baggett  in  her  place,  though  she  did  know  three  lan 
guages  and  sketched  much  better  than  Miss  Amory. 

Jenny,  as  we  who  are  going  to  be  her  bosom  friends 
will  call  her,  nodded  cheerfully,  and  looked  about  for 
the  stairway  ;  for,  never  having  been  on  a  steamer 
before,  she  was  rather  bewildered. 

'*  I  '11  show  you  the  way,  my  dear.      I  always  get 


136  A  GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

my  things  settled  at  once,  as  one  never  knows  when 
one  may  have  to  turn  in.  The  Professor  will  go  with 
you,  Ethel ;  it  is  not  proper  for  you  to  roam  about 
alone ; "  and  with  that  hint  Mrs.  Homer  led  the  way 
below,  privately  wondering  how  these  young  persons 
were  going  to  get  on  together. 

Jane  swallowed  her  "  heimweh  "  in  silence,  and  be 
stirred  herself  so  well  that  soon  the  stateroom  looked 
very  cosy  with  the  wrappers  laid  ready,  the  hanging 
bags  tacked  up,  and  all  made  ship-shape  for  the  ten 
days'  trip. 

"But  where  are  your  comforts'?  You  have  given 
Ethel  all  the  room,  the  lower  berth,  and  the  best  of 
everything,"  said  Mrs.  Homer,  popping  in  her  head  to 
see  how  her  quiet  neighbor  got  on. 

"  Oh,  I  live  in  my  trunk  ;  I  did  n't  bring  half  as 
many  little  luxuries  as  Ethel  did,  so  I  don't  need  as 
much  room.  I  'm  used  to  living  in  corners  like  a 
mouse,  and  I  get  on  very  well,"  answered  Jane,  look 
ing  very  like  a  mouse  just  then,  as  she  peeped  out  of 
the  upper  berth,  with  her  gray  gown,  bright  eyes,  and 
quick  nod  of  contentment. 

"Well,  my  dear,  I've  just  one  word  of  advice  to 
give  you.  Don't  let  that  child  tyrannize  over  you; 
She  means  well,  but  is  wilful  and  thoughtless,  and  it 
is  not  your  duty  to  be  made  a  slave  of.  Assert  your 
self  and  she  will  obey  and  respect  you,  and  you  will 
help  her'  a  great  deal.  I  know  all  about  it ;  I  was  a 
companion  in  my  youth,  and  had  a  hard  time  of  it  till 
I  revolted  and  took  my  proper  place.  Now  let  us  go 
up  and  enjoy  the  fine  air  while  we  can." 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  137 

"Thank  you,  I  will  remember;"  and  Jane  offered 
the  good  lady  her  arm,  with  a  feeling  of  gratitude  for 
such  friendliness,  all  being  new  and  strange  to  her, 
and  many  doubts  of  her  own  fitness  for  the  position 
lying  heavy  at  her  heart. 

But  soon  all  was  forgotten  as  she  sat  on  deck  watch 
ing  the  islands,  lighthouses,  ships,  and  shores  glide  by 
as  she  went  swiftly  out  tc  sea  that  bright  June  day. 
Here  was  the  long-cherished  desire  of  her  life  come  to 
pass  at  last,  and  now  the  parting  with  mother  and 
sisters  was  over,  nothing  but  pleasure  remained,  and 
a  very  earnest  purpose  to  improve  this  unexpected 
opportunity  to  the  uttermost.  The  cares  of  life  had 
begun  early  for  little  Jane,  she  being  the  eldest  of  the 
three  girls,  and  her  mother  a  widow.  First  came  hard 
study,  then  a  timid  beginning  as  nursery  governess; 
and  as  year  by  year  the  teaching  of  others  taught  her, 
she  ventured  on  till  here  she  was  companion  to  a  fine 
young  lady  "going  abroad,"  where  every  facility  for 
acquiring  languages,  studying  history,  seeing  the  best 
pictures,  and  enjoying  good  society  would  all  be  hers. 
No  wonder  the  quiet  face  under  the  modest  gray  hat 
beamed,  as  it  turned  wistfully  toward  the  unknown 
world  before  her,  and  that  her  thoughts  were  so  far 
away,  she  was  quite  unconscious  of  the  kind  eyes 
watching  her,  as  Mrs.  Homer  sat  placidly  knitting 
beside  her. 

"I  shall  like  the  Mouse,  I'm  quite  sure.  Hope 
Lemuel  will  be  as  well  satisfied.  Ethel  is  charming 
when  she  chooses,  but  will  need  looking  after,  that 's 
plain,"  thought  the  lady  as  she  glanced  down  the 


138  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

deck  to  where  her  husband  stood  talking  with  several 
gentlemen,  while  his  charge  was  already  making  friends 
with  the  gay  girls  who  were  to  be  her  fellow-passengers. 

"  Daisy  Millers,  I  fear,"  went  on  Mrs.  Homer,  who 
had  a  keen  eye  for  character,  and  was  as  fond  of 
studying  the  people  about  her  as  the  Professor  was  of 
looking  up  dead  statesmen,  kings,  and  warriors.  The 
young  ladies  certainly  bore  some  resemblance  to  the 
type  of  American  girl  which  one  never  fails  to  meet  in 
travelling.  They  were  dressed  in  the  height  of  the 
fashion,  pretty  with  the  delicate  evanescent  beauty  of 
too  many  of  our  girls,  and  all  gifted  with  the  load 
voices,  shrill  laughter,  and  free-and-easy  manners 
which  so  astonish  decorous  English  matrons  and 
maids.  Ethel  was  evidently  impressed  with  their 
style,  as  they  had  a  man  and  maid  at  their  beck  and 
call,  and  every  sign  of  ostentatious  wealth  about  them. 
A  stout  papa,  a  thin  mamma,  evidently  worn  out  with 
the  cares  of  the  past  winter,  three  half-grown  girls, 
and  a  lad  of  sixteen  made  up  the  party ;  and  a  very 
lively  one  it  was,  as  the  Professor  soon  found,  for  he 
presently  bowed  himself  away,  and  left  Ethel  to  her 
new  friends,  since  she  smilingly  refused  to  leave  them. 

"  Ought  I  to  go  to  her  ] "  asked  Jenny,  waking  from 
her  happy  reverie  to  a  sudden  sense  of  duty  as  the 
gentleman  sat  down  beside  her. 

"  Oh  dear,  no,  she  is  all  right.  Those  are  the  Sib- 
leys  of  New  York.  Her  father  knows  them,  and  she 
will  find  them  a  congenial  refuge  when  she  tires  of  us 
quiet  folk ;  and  you  too,  perhaps  1 "  added  the  Professor 
as  he  glanced  at  the  girl. 


POPPIES    AND    WHEAT.  130 

"  I  think  not.  I  should  not  be  welcome  to  them, 
nor  are  they  the  sort  of  people  I  like.  I  shall  be 
very  happy  with  the  'quiet  folk,'  if  they  won't  let  me 
be  in  the  way,"  answered  Jenny,  in  the  cheerful  voice 
that  reminded  one  of  the  chirp  of  a  robin. 

"  We  won't ;  we  '11  toss  you  overboard  as  soon  as 
you  begin  to  scream  and  bounce  in  that  style,"  he 
answered,  laughing  at  the  idea  of  this  demure  young 
person's  ever  dreaming  of  such  a  thing.  Jenny 
laughed  also,  and  ran  to  pick  up  Mrs.  Homer's  ball,  as 
it  set  out  for  a  roll  into  the  lee-scuppers.  As  she 
brought  it  back  she  found  the  Professor  examining 
the  book  she  left  behind  her. 

"  Like  all  young  travellers  you  cling  to  your  *  Bae 
deker,'  I  see,  even  in  the  first  excitement  of  the  start. 
He  is  a  useful  fellow,  but  I  know  my  Europe  so  well 
now,  I  don't  need  him." 

"  I  thought  it  would  be  wise  to  read  up  our  route  a 
little,  then  I  needn't  ask  questions.  They  must  be 
very  tiresome  to  people  who  know  all  about  it,"  said 
Jenny,  regarding  him  with  an  expression  of  deep  re 
spect,  for  she  considered  him  a  sort  of  walking  ency 
clopaedia  of  universal  knowledge. 

It  pleased  the  learned  man,  who  was  kindly  as  well 
as  wise,  and  loved  to  let  his  knowledge  overflow  into 
any  thirsty  mind,  however  small  the  cup  might  be. 
He  liked  the  intelligent  face  before  him,  and  a  timid 
question  or  two  set  him  off  on  his  favorite  hobby  at  a 
pleasant  amble,  with  Jenny  on  the  pillion  behind,  as 
it  were.  She  enjoyed  it  immensely,  and  was  deep  in 
French  history,  when  the  lunch  gong  recalled  her  from 


140  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

Francis  I.  and  his  sister  Margaret  to  chops  and 
English  ale. 

Ethel  came  prancing  back  to  her  own  party,  full  of 
praises  of  the  Sibleys,  and  the  fun  they  meant  to  have 
together. 

"  They  are  going  to  the  Langham ;  so  we  shall  be 
able  to  go  about  with  them,  and  they  know  all  the 
best  shops,  and  some  lords  and  ladies,  and  expect  to 
be  in  Paris  when  we  are,  and  that  will  be  a  great  help 
with  our  dresses  and  things." 

"  But  we  are  not  going  to  shop  and  have  new  dresses 
till  we  are  on  our  way  home,  you  know.  Now  we 
have  n't  time  for  such  things,  and  can't  trouble  the 
Homers  with  more  trunks,"  answered  Jenny,  as  they 
followed  their  elders  to  the  table. 

"  I  shall  buy  what  I  like,  and  have  ten  trunks  if 
it  suits  me.  I  'm  not  going  to  poke  round  over  old 
books  and  ruins,  and  live  in  a  travelling-dress  all  the 
time.  You  can  do  as  you  like ;  it 's  different  with  me, 
and  /  know  what  is  proper." 

With  which  naughty  speech  Ethel  took  her  seat 
first  at  the  table,  and  began  to  nod  and  smile  at  the 
Sibleys  opposite.  Jenny  set  her  lips  and  made  no 
answer,  but  ate  her  lunch  with  what  appetite  she 
could,  trying  to  forget  her  troubles  in  listening  to  the 
chat  going  on  around  her. 

All  that  afternoon  Ethel  left  her  to  herself,  and 
enjoyed  the  more  congenial  society  of  the  new  ac 
quaintances.  Jenny  was  tired,  and  glad  to  read  and 
dream  in  the  comfortable  seat  Mrs.  Homer  left  her 
when  she  went  for  her  nap. 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  141 

By  sunset  the  sea  grew  rough  and  people  began  to 
vanish  below.  There  were  many  empty  places  at 
dinner-time,  and  those  who  appeared  seemed  to  have 
lost  their  appetites  suddenly.  The  Homers  were  good 
sailors,  but  Jenny  looked  pale,  and  Ethel  said  her 
head  ached,  though  both  kept  up  bravely  till  nine 
o'clock,  when  the  Sibleys  precipitately  retired  after 
supper,  and  Ethel  thought  she  might  as  well  go  to 
bed  early  to  be  ready  for  another  pleasant  day  to 
morrow. 

Jenny  had  a  bad  night,  but  disturbed  no  one. 
Ethel  slept  soundly,  and  sprang  up  in  the  morning, 
eager  to  be  the  first  on  deck.  But  a  sudden  lurch 
sent  her  and  her  hair-brush  into  a  corner ;  and  when 
she  rose,  everything  in  the  stateroom  seemed  to  be 
turning  somersaults,  while  a  deathly  faintness  crept 
over  her. 

"  Oh,  wake  up,  Jane  !  We  are  sinking !  What  is  it  ? 
Help  me,  help  me  !  "  and  with  a  dismal  wail  Ethel 
tumbled  into  her  berth  in  the  first  anguish  of  sea 
sickness. 

We  will  draw  the  curtain  for  three  days,  during 
which  rough  weather  and  general  despair  reigned. 
Mrs.  Homer  took  care  of  the  girls  till  Jenny  was  able 
to  sit  up  and  amuse  Ethel ;  but  the  latter  had  a  hard 
time  of  it,  for  a  series  of  farewell  lunches  had  left  her 
in  a  bad  state  for  a  sea-voyage,  and  the  poor  girl  could 
not  lift  her  head  for  days.  The  new-made  friends  did 
not  trouble  themselves  about  her  after  a  call  of  con 
dolence,  but  faithful  Jenny  sat  by  her  hour  after  hour, 
reading  and  talking  by  day,  singing  her  to  sleep  at 


142  A   GARLAND  FOli   GIRLS. 

night,  and  often  creeping  from  her  bed  on  the  sofa 
to  light  her  little  candle  and  see  that  her  charge  was 
warmly  covered  and  quite  comfortable.  Ethel  was 
used  to  being  petted,  so  she  was  not  very  grateful;  but 
she  felt  the  wratchful  care  about  her,  and  thought  Jane 
almost  as  handy  a  person  as  a  maid,  and  told  her  so, 

Jenny  thanked  her  and  said  nothing  of  her  own  dis 
comforts;  but  Mrs.  Homer  saw  them,  and  wrote  to 
Mrs.  Amory  that  so  far  the  companion  was  doing  ad 
mirably  and  all  that  could  be  desired.  A  few  days 
later  she  added  more  commendations  to  the  journal- 
letters  she  kept  for  the  anxious  mothers  at  home,  and 
this  serio-comical  event  was  the  cause  of  her  fresh 
praises. 

The  occupants  of  the  deck  staterooms  were  wakened 
in  the  middle  of  the  night  by  a  crash  and  a  cry,  and 
starting  up  found  that  the  engines  were  still,  and 
something  was  evidently  the  matter  somewhere.  A 
momentary  panic  took  place ;  ladies  screamed,  chil 
dren  cried,  and  gentlemen  in  queer  costumes  burst 
out  of  their  rooms,  excitedly  demanding,  "What  is 
the  matter]" 

As  no  lamps  are  allowed  in  the  rooms  at  night, 
darkness  added  to  the  alarm,  and  it  was  some  time 
before  the  real  state  of  the  case  was  known.  Mrs. 
Homer  went  at  once  to  the  frightened  girls,  and  found 
Ethel  clinging  to  Jenny,  who  was  trying  to  find  the 
life-preservers  lashed  to  the  wall. 

"  We  've  struck  !  Don't  leave  me !  Let  us  die  to 
gether  !  Oh,  why  did  I  cornel  why  did  I  cornel" 
she  wailed;  while  the  other  girl  answered  with  a 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  143 

brave  attempt  at  cheerfulness,  as  she  put  over  Ethel's 
head  the  only  life-preserver  she  could  find,  — 

"  I  will !  I  will !  Be  calm,  dear !  I  guess  there  is 
no  immediate  danger.  Hold  fast  to  this  while  I  try  to 
find  something  warm  for  you  to  put  on." 

In  a  moment  Jenny's  candle  shone  like  a  star  of 
hope  in  the  gloom,  and  hy  the  time  the  three  had  got 
into  wrappers  and  shawls,  a  peal  of  laughter  from  the 
Professor  assured  them  that  the  danger  could  not  be 
great.  Other  sounds  of  merriment,  as  well  as  Mrs. 
Sibley's  voice  scolding  violently,  was  heard ;  and  pres 
ently  Mr.  Homer  came  to  tell  them  to  be  calm,  for  the 
stoppage  was  only  to  cool  the  engines,  and  the  noise 
was  occasioned  by  Joe  Sibley's  tumbling  out  of  his 
berth  in  a  fit  of  nightmare  caused  by  Welsh  rarebits 
and  poached  eggs  at  eleven  at  night. 

Much  relieved,  and  a  little  ashamed  now  of  their 
fright,  every  one  subsided  ;  but  Ethel  could  not  sleep, 
and  clung  to  Jenny  in  an  hysterical  state  till  a  soft 
voice  began  to  sing  "Abide  with  me"  so  sweetly  that 
more  than  one  agitated  listener  blessed  the  singer  and 
fell  asleep  before  the  comforting  hymn  ended. 

Ethel  was  up  nc-xt  day,  and  lay  on  the  Professor's 
bearskin  rug  on  deck,  looking  pale  and  interesting, 
while  the  Sibleys  sat  by  her  talking  over  the  exciting 
event  of  the  night,  to  poor  Joe's  great  disgust.  Jenny 
crept  to  her  usual  corner,  and  sat  with  a  book  on' her 
lap,  quietly  reviving  in  the  fresh  air  till  she  was  able 
to  enjoy  the  pleasant  chat  of  the  Homers,  who  estab 
lished  themselves  near  by  and  took  care  of  her,  learn- 
in:'  each  day  to  love  and  respect  the  faithful  little  soul 


144  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

who  kept  her  worries  to  herself,  and  looked  brightly 
forward  no  matter  how  black  the  sky  might  be. 

Only  one  other  incident  of  the  voyage  need  be  told  ; 
but  as  that  marked  a  change  in  the  relations  between 
the  two  girls  it  is  worth  recording. 

As  she  prepared  for  bed  late  one  evening,  Mrs. 
Homer  heard  Jenny  say  in  a  tone  never  used  before,  — 

"  My  dear,  I  must  say  something  to  you  or  I  shall 
not  feel  as  if  I  were  doing  my  duty.  I  promised  your 
mother  that  you  should  keep  early  hours,  as  you  are 
not  very  strong  and  excitement  is  bad  for  you.  Now, 
you  ivoiit  come  to  bed  at  ten,  as  I  ask  you  to  every  night, 
but  stay  up  playing  cards  or  sitting  on  deck  till  nearly 
every  one  but  the  Sibleys  is  gone.  Mrs.  Homer  waits 
for  us,  and  is  tired,  and  it  is  very  rude  to  keep  her  up. 
Will  you  please  do  as  you  ought,  and  not  oblige  me  to 
say  you  must  1 " 

Ethel  was  sleepy  and  cross,  and  answered  pettishly, 
as  she  held  out  her  foot  to  have  her  boot  unbuttoned, 
—  for  Jenny,  anxious  to  please,  refused  no  service  asked 
of  her,  — 

"I  shall  do  as  I  like,  and  you  and  Mrs.  Homer 
need  n't  trouble  yourselves  about  me.  Mamma  wished 
me  to  have  a  good  time,  and  I  shall !  There  is  r.o 
harm  in  staying  up  to  enjoy  the  moonlight,  and  sing 
and  tell  stories.  Mrs.  Sibley  knows  what  is  proper 
better  than  you  do." 

"  I  don't  think  she  does,  for  she  goes  to  bed  and 
leaves  the  girls  to  flirt  with  those  officers  in  a  way 
that  I  know  is  not  proper,"  answered  Jenny,  firmly. 
"  I  should  be  very  sorry  to  hear  them  say  of  you  as 


POPPIES  AND   WHEAT.  145 

they  did  of  the  Sibley  girls,  '  They  are  a  wild  lot,  but 
great  fun.'  " 

"  Did  they  say  that  1  How  impertinent !  "  and  Ethel 
bridled  up  like  a  ruffled  chicken,  for  she  was  not  out 
yet,  and  had  not  lost  the  modest  instincts  that  so  soon 
get  blunted  when  a  frivolous  fashionable  life  begins. 

"  I  heard  them,  and  I  know  that  the  well-bred 
people  on  board  do  not  like  the  Sibleys'  noisy  ways 
and  bad  manners.  Now,  you,  my  dear,  are  young  and 
unused  to  this  sort  of  life ;  so  you  cannot  be  too  care 
ful  what  you  say  and  do,  and  with  whom  you  go." 

"  Good  gracious  !  any  one  would  think  you  were  as 
wise  as  Solomon  and  as  old  as  the  hills.  You  are 
young,  and  you  have  n't  travelled,  and  don't  know 
any  more  of  the  world  than  I  do,  —  not  so  much  of 
some  things;  so  you  needn't  preach." 

"  I  'm  not  wise  nor  old,  but  I  do  know  more  of  the 
world  than  you,  for  I  began  to  take  care  of  myself  and 
earn  niy  living  at  sixteen,  and  four  years  of  hard  work 
have  taught  me  a  great  deal.  I  am  to  watch  over  you, 
and  I  intend  to  do  it  faithfully,  no  matter  what  you 
say,  nor  how  hard  you  make  it  for  me  ;  because  I 
promised,  and  I  shall  keep  my  word.  We  are  not  to 
trouble  Mrs.  Homer  with  our  little  worries,  but  try  to 
help  each  other  and  have  a  really  good  time.  I  will 
do  anything  for  you  that  I  can,  but  I  shall  not  let  you 
do  things  which  I  would  n't  allow  my  own  sisters  to  do, 
and  if  you  refuse  to  mind  me,  I  shall  write  to  your 
mother  and  ask  to  go  home.  My  conscience  won't  let 
me  take  money  and  pleasure  unless  I  earn  them  and 
do  rny  duty." 

10 


146  A   GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

"  Well,  upon  my  word  ! "  cried  Ethel,  much  im 
pressed  by  such  a  decided  speech  from  gentle  Jane, 
and  dismayed  at  the  idea  of  being  taken  home  in 
disgrace. 

"  We  won't  talk  any  more  now,  because  we  may  get 
angry  and  say  what  we  should  be  sorry  for.  I  am 
sure  you  will  see  that  I  am  right  when  you  think  it 
over  quietly.  So  good-night,  dear." 

"  Good-night,"  was  all  the  reply  Ethel  gave,  and  a 
long  silence  followed. 

Mrs.  Homer  could  not  help  hearing  as  the  state 
rooms  were  close  together,  and  the  well-ventilated  doors 
made  all  conversation  beyond  a  whisper  audible. 

"  I  did  n't  think  Jane  had  the  spirit  to  talk  like 
that.  She  has  taken  my  hint  and  asserted  herself, 
and  I  'm  very  glad,  for  Ethel  must  be  set  right  at 
once  or  we  shall  have  no  peace.  She  will  respect  and 
obey  Jane  after  this,  or  I  shall  be  obliged  to  say  my 
word." 

Mrs.  Homer  was  right,  and  before  her  first  nap  set 
in  she  heard  a  meek  voice  say,  — 

"Are  you  asleep,  Miss  BassettT' 

"  No,  dear." 

"  Then  I  want  to  say,  I  've  thought  it  over.  Please 
don't  write  to  mamma.  I  '11  be  good.  I  'in  sorry  I  was 
rude  to  you  ;  do  forgive  —  " 

The  sentence  was  not  ended,  for  a  sudden  rustle,  a 
little  sob,  and  several  hearty  kisses  plainly  told  that 
Jenny  had  flown  to  pardon,  comfort,  and  caress  her 
naughty  child,  and  that  all  was  well. 

After  that  Ethel's  behavior  was  painfully  decorous 


POPPIES    AND    WHEAT.  147 

for  the  rest  of  the  voyage,  which,  fortunately  for  her 
good  resolutions,  ended  at  Queenstown,  much  to  her 
regret.  The  Homers  thought  a  glimpse  at  Ireland 
and  Scotland  would  be  good  for  the  girls  ;  and  as  the 
Professor  had  business  in  Edinburgh  this  was  the 
better  route  for  all  parties.  But  Ethel  longed  for 
London,  and  refused  to  see  any  beauty  in  the  Lakes 
of  Killarney,  turned  up  her  nose  at  jaunting-cars,  and 
pronounced  Dublin  a  stupid  place. 

Scotland  suited  her  better,  and  she  could  not  help 
enjoying  the  fine  scenery  with  such  companions  as  the 
Homers ;  for  the  Professor  knew  all  about  the  relics  and 
ruins,  and  his  wife  had  a  memory  richly  stored  with 
the  legends,  poetry,  and  romance  which  make  dull  facts 
memorable  and  history  enchanting. 

But  Jenny's  quiet  rapture  was  pleasant  to  behold. 
She  had  not  scorned  Scott's  novels  as  old-fashioned, 
and  she  peopled  the  cottages  and  castles  with  his  heroes 
and  heroines ;  she  crooned  Burns's  sweet  songs  to  her 
self  as  she  visited  his  haunts,  and  went  about  in  a 
happy  sort  of  dream,  with  her  head  full  of  Highland 
Mary,  Tarn  o'  Shanter,  field-mice  and  daisies,  or  fought 
terrific  battles  with  Fitz-James  and  Mann  ion,  and  tried 
if  "the  light  harebell"  would  "raise  its  head,  elastic 
from  her  airy  tread,"  as  it  did  from  the  Lady  of  the 
Lake's  famous  foot. 

Ethel  told  her  she  was  "clean  daft;"  but  Jenny 
said,  "  Let  me  enjoy  it  while  I  can.  I  've  dreamed  of  it 
so  long  I  can  hardly  realize  that  it  has  come,  and  I 
cannot  lose  a  minute  of  it ; "  so  she  absorbed  Scotch 
poetry  and  romance  with  the  mist  and  the  keen  air 


148  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

from  the  moors,  and  bloomed  like  the  bonnie  heather 
which  she  loved  to  wear. 

"What  shall  we  do  this  rainy  day  in  this  stupid 
place?"  said  Ethel,  one  morning  when  bad  weather 
kept  them  from  an  excursion  to  Stirling  Castle. 

"  Write  our  journals  and  read  up  for  the  visit ;  then 
we  shall  know  all  about  the  castle,  and  need  not  tire 
people  with  our  questions,"  answered  Jenny,  already 
established  in  a  deep  window-seat  of  their  parlor  at 
the  hotel  with  her  books  and  portfolio. 

"  I  don't  keep  a  journal,  and  I  hate  to  read  guide 
books  ;  it 's  much  easier  to  ask,  though  there  is  very 
little  I  care  for  about  these  mouldy  old  places,"  said 
Ethel  with  a  yawn,  as  she  looked  out  into  the  muddy 
street. 

"  How  can  you  say  so  1  Don't  you  care  for  poor 
Mary,  and  Prince  Charlie,  and  all  the  other  sad  and 
romantic  memories  that  haunt  the  country  1  Why,  it 
seems  as  real  to  me  as  if  it  happened  yesterday,  and 
I  never  can  forget  anything  about  the  place  or  the 
people  now.  Really,  dear,  I  think  you  ought  to  take 
more  interest  and  improve  this  fine  chance.  Just  see 
how  helpful  and  lovely  Mrs.  Homer  is,  with  a  quotation 
for  every  famous  spot  we  see.  It  adds  so  much  to  our 
pleasure,  and  makes  her  so  interesting.  I  'm  going  to 
learn  some  of  the  fine  bits  in  this  book  of  hers,  and 
make  them  my  own,  since  I  cannot  buy  the  beautiful 
little  set  this  Burns  belongs  to.  Don't  you  want  to  try 
it,  and  while  away  the  dull  day  by  hearing  each  other 
recite  and  talking  over  the  beautiful  places  we  have 
seen]" 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  149 

"  No,  thank  you ;  no  study  for  me.  It  is  to  be  all 
play  now.  Why  tire  my  wits  with  that  Scotch  stuff 
when  Mrs.  Homer  is  here  to  do  it  for  me  ? "  and  lazy 
Ethel  turned  to  the  papers  on  the  table  for  amusement 
more  to  her  taste. 

"  But  we  should  n't  think  only  of  our  own  pleasure, 
you  know.  It  is  so  sweet  to  be  able  to  teach,  amuse, 
or  help  others  in  any  way.  I  'm  glad  to  learn  this  new 
accomplishment,  so  that  I  may  be  to  some  one  by-and- 
by  what  dear  Mrs.  Homer  is  to  us  now,  if  I  ever  can. 
Did  n't  you  see  how  charmed  those  English  people 
were  at  Holyrood  when  she  was  reciting  those  fine 
lines  to  us1?  The  old  gentleman  bowed  and  thanked 
her,  and  the"  handsome  lady  called  her  '  a  book  of 
elegant  extracts.'  I  thought  it  was  such  a  pretty 
and  pleasant  thing  that  I  described  it  all  to  mother 
and  the  girls." 

"  So  it  was ;  but  did  you  know  that  the  party  was 
Lord  Cumberland  and  his  family  1  The  guide  told  me 
afterward.  I  never  guessed  they  were  anybody,  in  such 
plain  tweed  gowns  and  thick  boots  ;  did  you  1 " 

"  I  knew  they  were  ladies  and  gentlemen  by  their 
manners  and  conversation  ;  did  you  expect  they  would 
travel  in  coronets  and  ermine  mantles  1 "  laughed  Jenny. 

"  I  'm  not  such  a  goose  !  But  I'm  glad  we  met  them, 
because  I  can  tell  the  Sibleys  of  it.  They  think  so 
much  of  titles,  and  brag  about  Lady  Watts  Barclay, 
whose  husband  is  only  a  brewer  knighted.  I  shall  buy 
a  plaid  like  the  one  the  lord's  daughter  wore,  and  wave 
it  in  the  faces  of  those  girls ;  they  do  put  on  such  airs 
because  they  have  been  in  Europe  before." 


150  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

Jenny  was  soon  absorbed  in  her  books ;  so  Ethel 
curled  herself  up  in  the  window-seat  with  an  illustrated 
London  paper  full  of  some  royal  event,  and  silence 
reigned  for  an  hour.  Neither  had  seen  the  Professor's 
glasses  rise  like  two  full  moons  above  his  paper  now 
and  then  to  peep  at  them  as  they  chatted  at  the  other 
end  of  the  room ;  neither  saw  him  smile  as  he  made  a 
memorandum  in  his  note-book,  nor  guessed  how  pleased 
he  was  at  Jenny's  girlish  admiration  of  his  plain  but 
accomplished  and  excellent  wife.  It  was  one  of  the 
trifles  which  went  to  form  his  opinion  of  the  two  lasses, 
and  in  time  to  suggest  a  plan  which  ended  in  great 
joy  for  one  of  them. 

"  Now  the  real  fun  begins,  and  I  shall  be  perfectly 
contented,"  cried  Ethel  as  they  rolled  through  the 
London  streets  towards  the  dingy  Langham  Hotel, 
where  Americans  love  to  congregate. 

Jenny's  eyes  were  sparkling  also,  and  she  looked  as 
if  quite  ready  for  the  new  scenes  and  excitements 
which  the  famous  old  city  promised  them,  though  she 
had  private  doubts  as  to  whether  anything  could  be 
more  delightful  than  Scotland. 

The  Sibleys  were  at  the  hotel ;  and  the  ladies  of  both 
parties  at  once  began  a  round  of  shopping  and  sight 
seeing,  while  the  gentlemen  went  about  their  more 
important  affairs.  Joe  was  detailed  for  escort  duty ; 
and  a  fine  time  the  poor  lad  had  of  it,  trailing  about 
with  seven  ladies  by  day  and  packing  them  into  two 
cabs  at  night  for  the  theatres  and  concerts  they  insisted 
on  trying  to  enjoy  in  spite  of  heat  and  weariness. 

Mrs.   Homer  and  Jenny    were    soon   tired    of  this 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  151 

"  whirl  of  gayety,"  as  they  called  it,  and  planned  more 
quiet  excursions  with  some  hours  each  day  for  rest  and 
the  writing  and  reading  which  all  wise  tourists  make  a 
part  of  their  duty  and  pleasure.  Ethel  rebelled,  and 
much  preferred  the  "rabble,"  as  JOG  irreverently  called 
his  troop  of  ladies,  never  losing  her  delight  in  Regent 
Street  shops,  the  parks  at  the  fashionable  hour,  and 
the  evening  shows  in  full  blast  everywhere  during  the 
season.  She  left  the  sober  party  whenever  she  could 
escape,  and  with  Mrs.  Sibley  as  chaperone,  frolicked 
about  with  the  gay  girls  to  her  heart's  content.  It 
troubled  Jenny,  and  made  her  feel  as  if  she  were  not 
doing  her  duty ;  but  Mrs.  Homer  consoled  her  by  the 
fact  that  a  month  was  all  they  could  give  to  London, 
and  soon  the  parties  would  separate,  for  the  Sibleys 
were  bound  for  Paris,  and  the  Professor  for  Switzerland 
and  Germany,  through  August  and  September. 

So  little  Jane  gave  herself  up  to  the  pleasures  she 
loved,  and  with  the  new  friends,  whose  kindness  she 
tried  to  repay  by  every  small  service  in  her  power, 
spent  happy  days  among  the  famous  haunts  they  knew 
so  well,  learning  much  and  storing  away  all  she  saw 
and  heard  for  future  profit  and  pleasure.  A  few  sam 
ples  of  the  different  ways  in  which  our  young  travellers 
improved  their  opportunities  will  sufficiently  illustrate 
this  new  version  of  the  gay  grasshopper  and  the  thrifty 
ant. 

When  they  visited  Westminster  Abbey,  Ethel  was 
soon  tired  of  tombs  and  chapels,  and  declared  that  the 
startling  tableau  of  the  skeleton  Death  peeping  out  of 
the  half-opened  door  of  the  tomb  to  throw  his  dart  at 


groat  <jari  in  $*H  peer's  robes  ami 

ta?  be*war  in  s&e  areas  of  tt*c  cbetttbs 

SihJir  toasl,  were  tne  OttN  CQiKgS 

•Jstutf  *iir  ^p^ilbvrtLtnl  in 
while  Mrs^  Boctwr 


roya    ta^nr»  im    ^vtj  up 
ter  ^«3Rf  sarwjRjl  hitppy  fomrs 
dttiscfn?  in  taEw  Abbey  tur  a»i(i  to  bt^r 
<j*T  wjtcetNj^fcr^  takett  dt*  «bt^  w^a 
ta?  sar*^  as$  stttufiti*  twr  bt^r  pupils 
At  Ijfet  Tbwijr  so*?  ^r«fw  oitccfii  <acit«*l  avur  ch<? 
TTsittfc£  ami  situ  b^rtric  caJtes  s£w  b^ttni 
*^rts  ami 
Etbel  ^ 
ami  cttretiE  aoly   iirr  tb«j  crown 

in  tdbttj  ajnoar  ^illenr.  ^a<i  cb*?  ^ueer 
iai^ars  sfikirfing  an  cb*j  bagpipe  ui  ths  wortyturd 

At  Ssw  Jeiucty  rev^U^  in  tb<?  rare  Hewers^  ami  was 
strn&sa  wit£t  amaaemetttr  at  tbe  Victoria  Kegta»  tbe 
royal  water^ily.  so  Iars&  trbac  a  trfjiM  wttld  sit  ua  aoe 
of  its  ^ast  leases  s^  on  a  gye«n:  bsfami  H*?r 

so  toctcb^ti  tsEw  Bwart  of  the  emsty 
gars  6ter  a  cwsegay  of  ordikfev  wbicfi 

ami  isfee  SiHey  gir^  wbo  were  of  tbe 
«i  weaned  of  plants  and  gone  oif  to 
ortiar  tea.  at  Floral  Bower,  —  one  of  toe  tittle  co-ttagw 
tiaittwa  Mfaat  ami  i<fe<»A  tfceoiseiTes  w  ttb  weak 
tiny  rooms  tkat  tbey  are 


in* 


-vtuta  rimy 
Jfcn.  tint  rtev 


in£<iif 

n&n    ^«IK.  —  tiur  dift 


vrt  Hu»X 


i*t     n 
n  nhit  -viwfc  mrti  svin? 

tsi- 


,imt  diuifiiut.  ruimiyt  na 

[rdUJTUt.  tttl    tSilft  ;U!tUl»J»»  5ft4£T«t 

<inmmmm/fc 

<vt  bear 

in  ;t 


lUft  ant  usUwp  ,'iani  wtsitt 
v  <b$*  itftn;  Capttall 


ttri- 


iiu 


one: 


muaifti 


.r  aawfi 


flfejir  itft* 


&f*n& 

tta>  fcui  Msm. 


:;.:.. 


is  nfiac  I  ami 
H 
wts  m> 


'.•  -      ..   •  .-    L:  :    .  "; 


154  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

can,  for  I  did  copy  some, one  day,  and  he  said  it  was 
well  done.  Please  let  me ;  I  should  enjoy  a  quiet 
morning  here  much  better  than  the  noisy  party  wTe 
shall  have,  since  the  Sibleys  are  to  go." 

With  some  reluctance  the  invalid  consented  ;  and 
when  the  rest  were  gone  with  hasty  regrets,  Jenny 
fell  to  work  so  briskly  that  in  an  hour  or  two  the  task 
was  done.  She  was  looking  wistfully  out  of  the  win 
dow  wondering  where  she  could  go  alone,  since  Mrs. 
Homer  was  asleep  and  no  one  needed  her,  when  the 
Professor  came  in  to  see  how  his  wife  was  before  he 
went  to  the  British  Museum  to  consult  certain  famous 
books  and  parchments. 

He  was  much  pleased  to  find  his  notes  in  order,  and 
after  a  glance  at  the  sleeping  lady,  told  Jenny  she  was 
to  come  with  him  for  a  visit  to  a  place  which  she  would 
enjoy,  though  most  young  people  thought  it  rather  dull. 

Away  they  went;  and  being  given  in  charge  to  a 
pleasant  old  man,  Jenny  roamed  over  the  vast  Mu 
seum  where  the  wonders  of  the  world  are  collected, 
enjoying  every  moment,  till  Mr.  Homer  called  her 
away,  as  his  day's  work  was  done.  It  was  late  now, 
but  she  never  thought  of  time,  and  came  smiling  up 
from  the  Egyptian  Hall  ready  for  the  lunch  the  Pro 
fessor  proposed.  They  were  just  going  out  when  a 
gentleman  met  them,  and  recognizing  the  American 
stopped  to  greet  him  cordially.  Jenny's  heart  beat 
when  she  was  presented  to  Mr.  Gladstone,  and  she 
listened  with  all  her  ears  to  the  silvery  un-English 
voice,  and  stared  with  all  her  eyes  at  the  weary  yet 
wise  and  friendly  face  of  the  famous  man. 


POPPIES   AND  WHEAT.  155 

"  I  'm  so  glad  !  I  wanted  to  see  him  very  much, 
and  I  feel  so  grand  to  think  I  've  really  had  a  bow  and 
a  smile  all  to  myself  from  the  Premier  of  England," 
said  Jenny  in  a  flutter  of  girlish  delight  when  the  brief 
interview  was  over. 

"  You  shall  go  to  the  House  of  Commons  with  me 
and  hear  him  speak  some  day ;  then  your  cup  will  be 
full,  since  you  have  already  seen  Browning,  heard 
Irving,  taken  tea  with  Jean  Ingelow,  and  caught  a 
glimpse  of  the  royal  family,"  said  the  Professor,  en 
joying  her  keen  interest  in  people  and  places. 

"Oh,  thanks!  that  will  be  splendid.  I  do  love  to 
see  famous  persons,  because  it  gives  me  a  true  picture 
of  them,  and  adds  to  my  desire  to  know  more  of  them, 
and  admire  their  virtues  or  shun  their  faults." 

"  Yes,  that  sort  of  mental  picture-gallery  is  a  good 
thing  to  have,  and  we  will  add  as  many  fine  portraits 
as  we  can.  Now  you  shall  ride  in  a  Hansom,  and  see 
how  you  like  that." 

Jenny  was  glad  to  do  so,  for  ladies  do  not  use  these 
vehicles  when  alone,  and  Ethel  had  put  on  great  airs 
after  a  spin  in  one  with  Joe.  Jenny  was  girl  enough 
to  like  to  have  her  little  adventures  to  boast  of,  and 
that  day  she  was  to  have  another  which  eclipsed  all 
that  her  young  companions  ever  knew. 

A  brisk  drive,  a  cosy  lunch  at  a  famous  chop-house 
where  Johnson  had  drunk  oceans  of  tea,  was  followed 
by  a  stroll  in  the  Park ;  for  the  Professor  liked  his 
young  comrade,  and  was  grateful  for  the  well  written 
notes  which  helped  on  his  work. 

As  they  leaned  against  the  railing  to  watch  the 


156  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

splendid  equipages  roll  by,  one  that  seemed  well 
known,  though  only  conspicuous  by  its  quiet  elegance, 
stopped  near  them,  and  the  elder  of  the  two  ladies  in 
it  bowed  and  beckoned  to  Professor  Homer.  He  has 
tened  forward  to  be  kindly  greeted  and  invited  to  drive 
along  the  Ladies'  Mile.  Jenny's  breath  was  nearly 
taken  away  when  she  was  presented  to  the  Duchess 

of  S ,   and  found   herself  sitting   in  a  luxurious 

carriage  opposite  her  Grace  and  her  companion,  with 
a  white-wigged  coachman  perched  aloft  and  two  pow 
dered  footmen  erect  behind.  Secretly  rejoicing  that 
she  had  made  herself  especially  nice  for  her  trip  with 
the  Professor,  and  remembering  that  young  English 
girls  are  expected  to  efface  themselves  in  the  company 
of  their  elders,  she  sat  mute  and  modest,  stealing  shy 
glances  from  under  her  hat-brim  at  the  great  lady,  who 
was  talking  in  the  simplest  way  with  her  guest  about 
his  work,  in  which,  as  a  member  of  one  of  the  historical 
houses  of  England,  she  took  much  interest.  A  few 
gracious  words  fell  to  Jenny's  share  before  they  were 
set  down  at  the  door  of  the  hotel,  to  the  great  admira 
tion  of  the  porter,  who  recognized  the  liveries  and 
spread  the  news. 

"This  is  a  good  sample  of  the  way  things  go  in 
Vanity  Fair.  We  trudge  away  to  our  daily  work 
afoot,  we  treat  ourselves  to  a  humble  cab  through 
the  mud,  pause  in  the  park  to  watch  the  rich  and 
great,  get  whisked  into  a  ducal  carriage,  and  come 
home  in  state,  feeling  rather  exalted,  don't  we  ? " 
asked  the  Professor  as  they  went  upstairs,  and  he 
observed  the  new  air  of  dignity  which  Jane  uncon- 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  157 

sciously  assumed  as  aii  obsequious  waiter  flew  before 
to  open  the  door. 

"  I  think  we  do,"  answered  honest  Jane,  laughing  as 
she  caught  the  twinkle  of  his  eyes  behind  the  spec 
tacles.  "  I  like  splendor,  and  I  am  rather  set  up  to 
think  I  've  spoken  to  a  live  duchess ;  but  I  think  I 
like  her  beautiful  old  face  and  charming  manners  more 
than  her  fine  coach  or  great  name.  Why,  she  was 
much  more  simply  dressed  than  Mrs.  Sibley,  and 
talked  as  pleasantly  as  if  she  did  not  feel  a  bit  above 
us.  Yet  one  could  n't  forget  that  she  was  noble,  and 
lived  in  a  very  different  world  from  ours." 

"  That  is  just  it,  my  dear ;  she  is  a  noble  woman  in 
every  sense  of  the  word,  and  has  a  right  to  her  title. 
Her  ancestors  were  king-makers,  and  she  is  Lady-in- 
waiting  to  the  Queen ;  yet  she  leads  the  charities  of 
London,  and  is  the  friend  of  all  who  help  the  world 
along.  I  'm  glad  you  have  met  her.  and  seen  so  good 
a  sample  of  a  true  aristocrat.  We  Americans  affect 
to  scorn  titles,  but  too  many  of  us  hanker  for  them 
in  secret,  and  bow  before  very  poor  imitations  of  the 
real  thing.  Don't  fill  your  journal  with  fine  names,  as 
some  much  wiser  folk  do,  but  set  down  only  the  best, 
and  remember,  ;  All  that  glitters  is  not  gold.' " 

"  I  will,  sir."  And  Jenny  put  away  the  little  ser 
mon  side  by  side  with  the  little  adventure,  saying 
nothing  of  either  till  Mrs.  Homer  spoke  of  it,  having 
heard  the  story  from  her  husband. 

"  How  I  wish  I  'd  been  there,  instead  of  fagging 
round  that  great  palace  full  of  rubbish  !  A  real  Duch 
ess  !  Won't  the  Sibleys  stare  ?-  We  shall  hear  no  more 


158  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

of  Lady  Watts  Barclay  after  this,  I  guess,  and  you 
will  be  treated  with  great  respect ;  see  if  you  are  not !  " 
said  Ethel,  much  impressed  with  her  companion's 
good  fortune  and  eager  to  tell  it. 

"  If  things  of  that  sort  affect  them,  their  respect  is 
not  worth  having,"  answered  Jane,  quietly  accepting 
the  arm  Ethel  offered  her  as  they  went  to  dinner,  — 
a  very  unusual  courtesy,  the  cause  of  which  she  under 
stood  and  smiled  at. 

Ethel  looked  as  if  she  felt  the  reproof,  but  said 
nothing,  only  set  an  example  of  greater  civility  to  her 
companion,  which  the  other  girls  involuntarily  followed, 
after  they  had  heard  of  Jenny's  excursion  with  the 
Professor. 

The  change  was  very  grateful  to  patient  Jane,  who 
had  borne  many  small  slights  in  proud  silence ;  but  it 
was  soon  over,  for  the  parties  separated,  and  our  friends 
left  the  city  far  behind  them,  as  they  crossed  the  chan 
nel,  and  sailed  up  the  Rhine  to  Schwalbach,  where  Mrs. 
Homer  was  to  try  the  steel  springs  for  her  rheumatism 
while  the  Professor  rested  after  his  London  labors. 

A  charming  journey,  and  several  very  happy  weeks 
followed  as  the  girls  roamed  about  the  Little  Brunnen, 
gay  with  people  from  all  parts  of  Europe,  corne  to 
try  the  famous  mineral  waters,  and  rest  under  the 
lindens. 

Jenny  found  plenty  to  sketch  here,  and  was  busy 
all  day  booking  picturesque  groups  as  they  sat  in  the 
Alice  Saal,  doing  pretty  woodland  bits  as  they  strolled 
among  the  hills,  carefully  copying  the  arches  and  stat 
ues  in  St.  Elizabeth's  Chapel,  or  the  queer  old  houses 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  159 

in  the  Jews'  Quarter  of  the  town.  Even  the  pigs 
went  into  the  portfolio,  with  the  little  swineherd 
blowing  his  horn  in  the  morning  to  summon  each  lazy 
porker  from  its  sty  to  join  the  troop  that  trotted  away 
to  eat  acorns  in  the  oak  wood  on  the  hill  till  sunset 
called  them  home  again. 

Ethel's  chief  amusement  was  buying  trinkets  at  the 
booths  near  the  Stahlbnmnen.  A  tempting  display 
of  pretty  crystal,  agate,  and  steel  jewelry  was  there, 
with  French  bonbons,  Swiss  carvings,  German  embroi 
dery  and  lace-work,  and  most  delectable  little  portfolios 
of  views  of  fine  scenery  or  illustrations  of  famous 
books.  Ethel  spent  much  money  here,  and  added  so 
greatly  to  her  store  of  souvenirs  that  a  new  trunk  was 
needed  to  hold  the  brittle  treasures  she  accumulated 
in  spite  of  the  advice  given  her  to  wait  till  she 
reached  Paris,  where  all  could  be  bought  much 
cheaper  and  packed  safely  for  transportation. 

Jenny  contented  herself  with  a  German  book, 
Kaulbach's  Goethe  Gallery,  and  a  set  of  ornaments  for 
each  sister ;  the  purple,  pink,  and  white  crystals  be 
ing  cheap  and  pretty  trinkets  for  young  girls.  She 
felt  very  rich  with  her  generous  salary  to  draw  upon 
•when  she  liked  ;  but  having  made  a  list  of  proper  gifts, 
she  resisted  temptation  and  saved  her  money,  re 
membering  how  much  every  penny  was  needed  at 
home. 

Driving  from  the  ruins  of  Hohenstein  one  lovely 
afternoon,  the  girls  got  out  to  walk  up  a  long  hill,  and 
amused  themselves  gathering  flowers  by  the  way. 
When  they  took  their  places  again,  Ethel  had  a  great 


160  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

bouquet  of  scarlet  poppies,  Jenny  a  nosegay  of  blue 
corn-flowers  for  Mrs.  Homer,  and  a  handful  of  green 
wheat  for  herself. 

"  You  look  as  if  you  had  been  gleaning,"  said  the 
Professor,  as  he  watched  the  girls  begin  to  trim  their 
rough  straw  hats  with  the  gay  coquelicots  and  the 
bearded  ears. 

"  I  feel  as  if  I  were  doing  that  every  day,  sir,  and 
gathering  in  a  great  harvest  of  pleasure,  if  nothing 
else,"  answered  Jenny,  turning  her  bright  eyes  full  of 
gratitude  from  one  kind  face  to  the  other. 

"  My  poppies  are  much  prettier  than  that  stiff  stuff. 
Why  did  n't  you  get  some  1 "  asked  Ethel,  surveying 
her  brilliant  decoration  with  great  satisfaction. 

"  They  don't  last ;  but  my  wheat  will,  and  only  grow 
prettier  as  it  ripens  in  my  hat,"  answered  Jenny,  con 
tentedly  settling  the  graceful  spires  in  the  straw  cord 
that  bound  the  pointed  crown. 

"Then  the  kernels  will  all  drop  out  and  leave  the 
husks ;  that  won't  be  nice,  I  'm  sure,"  laughed  Ethel. 

"  Well,  some  hungry  bird  will  pick  them  up  and  be 
glad  of  them.  The  husks  will  last  a  long  time  and  re 
mind  me  of  this  happy  day  ;  your  poppies  are  shedding 
their  leaves  already,  and  the  odor  is  not  pleasant.  I 
like  my  honest  bread-making  wheat  better  than  your 
opium  flowers,"  said  Jenny,  with  her  thoughtful  smile, 
as  she  watched  the  scarlet  petals  float  away  leaving 
the  green  seed-vessels  bare. 

"Oh,  I  shall  get  some  artificial  ones  at  my  lit 
tle  milliner's,  and  be  fine  as  long  as  I  like  ;  so  you 
are  welcome  to  your  useful,  bristly  old  wheat,"  said 


POPPIES  AND  WHEAT.  161 

Ethel,  rather  nettled  by  the  look  that  passed  between 
the  elders. 

Nothing  more  was  said  ;  but  both  girls  remembered 
that  little  talk  long  afterward,  for  those  two  wayside 
nosegays  served  to  point  the  moral  of  this  little  tale,  if 
not  to  adorn  it. 

We  have  no  space  to  tell  all  the  pleasant  wander 
ings  of  our  travellers  as  they  went  from  one  interest 
ing  place  to  another,  till  they  paused  for  a  good  rest 
at  Geneva. 

Here  Ethel  quite  lost  her  head  among  the  glittering 
display  of  jewelry,  and  had  to  be  watched  lest  she 
rashly  spend  her  last  penny.  They  were  obliged  al 
most  forcibly  to  carry  her  out  of  the  enchanting  shops ; 
and  no  one  felt  safe  till  she  was  either  on  the  lake, 
or  driving  to  Chamouni,  or  asleep  in  her  bed. 

Jenny  bought  a  watch,  a  very  necessary  thing  for  a 
teacher,  and  this  was  the  best  place  to  get  a  good  one. 
It  was  chosen  with  care  and  much  serious  consul 
tation  with  the  Professor;  and  Mrs.  Homer  added  a 
little  chain  and  seal,  finding  Jenny  about  to  content 
herself  with  a  black  cord. 

"  It  is  only  a  return  for  many  daughterly  services, 
my  dear ;  and  my  husband  wishes  me  to  offer  these 
with  thanks  to  the  patient  secretary  who  has  often 
helped  him  so  willingly,"  she  said,  as  she  came  to 
wake  Jenny  with  a  kiss  on  the  morning  of  her  twenty- 
first  birthday. 

A  set  of  little  volumes  like  those  she  had  admired 
was  the  second  gift,  and  Jenny  was  much  touched  to 
be  so  kindly  remembered.  Ethel  gave  her  some  thread 
11 


162  A   OAKLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

lace  which  she  had  longed  to  buy  for  her  mother  at 
Brussels,  but  did  not,  finding  it  as  costly  as  beautiful. 
It  was  a  very  happy  day,  though  quietly  spent  sitting 
by  the  lake  enjoying  the  well-chosen  extracts  from 
Shakspeare,  Wordsworth,  Byron,  Burns,  Scott,  and 
other  descriptive  poets,  and  writing  loving  letters  home, 
proudly  stamped  with  the  little  seal. 

After  that,  while  Ethel  haunted  the  brilliant  shops, 
read  novels  in  the  hotel-garden,  or  listlessly  followed 
the  sight-seers,  Jenny,  with  the  help  of  her  valuable  lit 
tle  library,  her  industrious  pencil,  and  her  accomplished 
guides,  laid  up  a  store  of  precious  souvenirs  as  they 
visited  the  celebrated  spots  that  lie  like  a  necklace 
of  pearls  around  the  lovely  lake,  with  Mont  Blanc  as 
the  splendid  opal  that  fitly  clasps  the  chain.  Calvin 
and  Geneva,  Voltaire  and  Ferney,  De  Stael  and  Coppet, 
Gibbon's  garden  at  Lausanne,  Byron's  Prisoner  at  Chil- 
lon,  Rousseau's  chestnut  grove  at  Clarens,  and  all  the 
legends,  relics,  and  memories  of  Switzerland's  heroes, 
romancers,  poets,  and  philosophers,  were  carefully 
studied,  recorded,  and  enjoyed ;  and  when  at  last  they 
steamed  away  toward  Paris,  Jenny  felt  as  if  her  head 
and  her  heart  and  one  little  trunk  held  richer  treas 
ures  than  all  the  jewelry  in  Geneva. 

At  Lyons  her  second  important  purchase  was  made  ; 
for  when  they  visited  one  of  the  great  manufactories 
to  execute  several  commissions  given  to  Mrs.  Homer, 
Jenny  proudly  bought  a  nice  black  silk  for  her  mother. 
This,  with  the  delicate  lace,  would  make  the  dear 
woman  presentable  for  many  a  day,  and  the  good  girl 
beamed  with  satisfaction  as  she  pictured  the  delight 


POPPIES   AND    WHEAT.  163 

of  all  at  home  when  this  splendid  gift  appeared  to 
adorn  the  dear  parent-bird,  who  never  cared  how 
shabby  she  was  if  her  young  were  well  feathered. 

It  was  a  trial  to  Jenny,  when  they  reached  Paris, 
to  spend  day  after  day  shopping,  talking  to  dress 
makers,  and  driving  in  the  Bois  to  watch  the  elegant 
world  on  parade,  when  she  longed  to  be  living  through 
the  French  Revolution  with  Carlyle,  copying  the 
quaint  relics  at  Hotel  Cluny,  or  revelling  in  the  treas 
ures  of  the  Louvre. 

"  Why  do  you  want  to  study  and  poke  all  the 
time?"  asked  Ethel,  as  they  followed  Mrs.  Homer  and 
a  French  acquaintance  round  the  Palais  Royal  one  day 
with  its  brilliant  shops,  cafes,  and  crowds. 

"  My  dream  is  to  be  able  to  take  a  place  as  teacher 
of  German  and  history  in  a  girl's  school  next  year.  It 
is  a  fine  chance,  and  I  am  promised  it  if  I  am  fitted ; 
so  I  must  work  when  I  can  to  be  ready.  That  is  why 
I  like  Versailles  better  than  Rue  de  Rivoli,  and  enjoy 
talking  with  Professor  Homer  about  French  kings  and 
queens  more  than  I  do  buying  mock  diamonds  and 
eating  ices  here,"  answered  Jenny,  looking  very  tired 
of  the  glitter,  noise,  and  dust  of  the  gay  place  when 
her  heart  was  in  the  Conciergerie  with  poor  Marie 
Antoinette,  or  the  Invalides,  where  lay  the  great  Napo 
leon  still  guarded  by  his  faithful  Frenchmen. 

"  What  a  dismal  prospect !  I  should  think  you  'd 
rather  have  a  jolly  time  while  you  could,  and  trust  to 
luck  for  a  place  by-and-by,  if  you  must  go  on  teach 
ing,"  said  Ethel,  stopping  to  admire  a  window  full  of 
distracting  bonnets. 


J64  A   OAKLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  No  ;  it  is  a  charming  prospect  to  me,  for  I  love  to 
teach,  and  I  can't  leave  anything  to  luck.  God  helps 
those  who  help  themselves,  mother  says,  and  I  want 
to  give  the  girls  an  easier  time  than  I  have  had ;  so  I 
shall  get  my  tools  ready,  and  fit  myself  to  do  good 
work  when  the  job  comes  to  me,"  answered  Jenny, 
with  such  a  decided  air  that  the  French  lady  glanced 
back  at  her,  wondering  if  a  quarrel  was  going  on  be 
tween  the  demoiselles. 

"What  do  you  mean  by  tools?  "  asked  Ethel,  turn 
ing  from  the  gay  bonnets  to  a  ravishing  display  of  bon 
bons  in  the  next  window. 

"  Professor  Homer  said  one  day  that  a  well-stored 
mind  was  a  tool-chest  with  which  one  could  carve  one's 
way.  Now,  my  tools  are  knowledge,  memory,  taste, 
the  power  of  imparting  what  I  know,  good  manners, 
sense,  and  —  patience,"  added  Jenny,  with  a  sigh,  as 
she  thought  of  the  weary  years  spent  in  teaching  little 
children  the  alphabet. 

Ethel  took  the  sigh  to  herself,  well  knowing  that 
she  had  been  a  trial,  especially  of  late,  when  she  had 
insisted  on  Jane's  company  because  her  own  French 
was  so  imperfect  as  to  be  nearly  useless,  though  at 
home  she  had  flattered  herself  that  she  knew  a  good 
deal.  Her  own  ignorance  of  many  things  had  been 
unpleasantly  impressed  upon  her  lately,  for  at  Ma 
dame  Dene's  Pension  there  were  several  agreeable 
English  and  French  ladies,  and  much  interesting  con 
versation  went  on  at  the  table,  which  Jenny  heartily 
enjoyed,  though  she  modestly  said  very  little.  But 
Ethel,  longing  to  distinguish  herself  before  the  quiet 


POPPIES    AND   WHEAT.  165 

English  girls,  tried  to  talk  and  often  made  sad  mis 
takes  because  her  head  was  a  jumble  of  new  names 
and  places,  and  her  knowledge  of  all  kinds  very 
superficial.  Only  the  day  before  she  had  said  in  a 
patronizing  tone  to  a  French  lady,  — 

"  Of  course  we  remember  our  obligations  to  your 
Lamartine  during  our  Revolution,  and  the  other  brave 
Frenchmen  who  helped  us." 

"  You  mean  Lafayette,  dear,"  whispered  Jenny 
quickly,  as  the  lady  smiled  and  bowed  bewildered 
by  the  queerly  pronounced  French,  but  catching  the 
poet's  name. 

*'  I  know  what  I  mean  ;  you  need  n't  trouble  yourself 
to  correct  and  interrupt  me  when  I  'm  talking,"  an 
swered  Ethel,  in  her  pert  way,  annoyed  by  a  smile  on 
the  face  of  the  girl  opposite,  and  Jenny's  blush  at 
her  rudeness  and  ingratitude.  She  regretted  both 
when  Jane  explained  the  matter  afterward,  and  wished 
that  she  had  at  once  corrected  what  would  then  have 
passed  as  a  slip  of  the  tongue.  Now  it  was  too  late  ; 
but  she  kept  quiet  and  gave  Miss  Cholmondeley  no 
more  chances  to  smile  in  that  aggravatingly  superior 
way,  though  it  was  very  natural,  as  she  was  a  highly 
educated  girl. 

Thinking  of  this,  and  many  other  mistakes  of  her 
own  from  which  Jane  tried  to  save  her,  Ethel  felt  a 
real  remorse,  and  walked  silently  on,  wondering  how 
she  could  reward  this  kind  creature  who  had  served 
her  so  well  and  was  so  anxious  to  get  on  in  her  hard, 
humble  way.  The  orders  were  all  given  now,  the 
shopping  nearly  done,  and  Mademoiselle  Campan,  the 


166  A   OAKLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

elderly  French  lady  who  boarded  at  their  Pension,  was 
always  ready  to  jaunt  about  and  be  useful ;  so  why  not 
give  Jane  a  holiday,  and  let  her  grub  and  study  for  the 
little  while  left  them  in  Paris  1  In  a  fortnight  Uncle 
Sam  was  to  pick  up  the  girls  and  take  them  home, 
while  the  Homers  went  to  Rome  for  the  winter.  It 
would  be  well  to  take  Miss  Bassett  back  in  a  good 
humor,  so  that  her  report  would  please  Mamma,  ami 
appease  Papa  if  he  were  angry  at  the  amount  of  money 
spent  by  his  extravagant  little  daughter.  Ethel  saw 
now,  as  one  always  does  when  it  is  too  late  to  repair 
damages,  many  things  left  undone  which  she  ought  to 
have  done,  and  regretted  living  for  herself  instead  of 
putting  more  pleasure  into  the  life  of  this  good  girl, 
whose  future  seemed  so  uninviting  to  our  young  lady 
with  her  rirst  season  very  near. 

It  was  a  kind  plan,  and  gratified  Jenny  very  much 
when  it  was  proposed  and  proved  to  her  that  no  duty 
would  be  neglected  if  she  went  about  with  the  Homers 
and  left  her  charge  to  the  excellent  lady  who  enjoyed 
chiffons  as  much  as  Ethel  did,  and  was  glad  to  re 
ceive  pretty  gifts  in  return  for  her  services. 

But  alas  for  Ethel's  good  resolutions  and  Jenny's 
well-earned  holiday  !  Both  came  to  nothing,  for  Ethel 
fell  ill  from  too  much  pastry,  and  had  a  sharp  bilious 
attack  which  laid  her  up  till  the  uncle  arrived. 

Every  one  was  very  kind,  and  there  was  no  danger ; 
but  the  days  were  long,  the  invalid  very  fretful,  and 
the  nurse  very  tired,  before  the  second  week  brought 
convalescence  and  a  general  cheering  and  clearing  up 
Vook  place.  Uncle  Sam  was  amusing  himself  very  com- 


POPPIES  AND   WHEAT.  167 

furtably  while  he  waited  for  his  niece  to  be  able  to  tra 
vel,  and  the  girls  were  beginning  to  pack  by  degrees, 
for  the  accumulation  of  Ethel's  purchases  made  her 
share  a  serious  task. 

"  There  !  All  are  in  now,  and  only  the  steamer  trunk 
is  left  to  pack  at  the  last  moment,"  said  Jenny,  folding 
her  tired  arms  after  a  protracted  struggle  with  half  a 
dozen  new  gowns,  and  a  perplexing  medley  of  hats, 
boots,  gloves,  and  perfumery.  Two  large  trunks  stood 
in  the  anteroom  ready  to  go  ;  the  third  was  now  done, 
and  nothing  remained  but  the  small  one  and  Jenny's 
shabby  portmanteau. 

"  How  nicely  you  have  managed  !  I  ought  to  have 
helped,  only  you  would  n't  let  me  and  I  should  have 
spoilt  my  wrapper.  Come  and  rest  and  help  me  sort 
out  this  rubbish,"  said  Ethel,  who  would  have  been 
dressed  and  out  if  the  arrival  of  a  new  peignoir  had  not 
kept  her  in  to  enjoy  the  lovely  pink  and  blue  thing, 
all  lace  and  ribbon  and  French  taste. 

"  You  will  never  get  them  into  that  box,  dear,"  an 
swered  Jenny,  gladly  sitting  down  beside  her  on  the 
sofa,  winch  was  strewn  with  trinkets  of  all  sorts,  more 
or  less  damaged  by  careless  handling,  and  the  vicissi 
tudes  of  a  wandering  trunk. 

"  I  don't  believe  they  are  worth  fussing  over.  I  'm 
tired  of  them,  and  they  look  very  mean  and  silly  after 
seeing  real  jewels  here.  I  'd  throw  them  away  if  I 
had  n't  spent  so  much  money  on  them,"  said  Ethel, 
turning  over  the  tarnished  filigree,  mock  pearl,  and  imi 
tation  coral  necklaces,  bracelets,  and  brooches  that  were 
tumbling  out  of  the  frail  boxes  in  which  they  came. 


168  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

"  They  will  look  pretty  to  people  at  home  who  have 
not  been  seeing  so  many  as  we  have.  I  '11  sew  up  the 
broken  cases,  and  rub  up  the  silver,  and  string  the 
beads,  and  make  all  as  good  as  new,  and  you  will  find 
plenty  of  girls  at  home  glad  to  get  them,  I  am  sure," 
answered  Jenny,  rapidly  bringing  order  out  of  chaos 
with  those  skilful  hands  of  hers. 

Ethel  leaned  back  and  watched  her  silently  for  a 
few  minutes.  During  this  last  week  our  young  lady 
had  been  thinking  a  good  deal,  and  was  conscious  of 
a  strong  desire  to  tell  Jane  Bassett  how  much  she 
loved  and  thanked  her  for  all  her  patient  and  faithful 
care  during  the  six  months  now  nearly  over.  But  she 
was  proud,  and  humility  was  hard  to  learn  ;  self-will 
was  sweet,  and  to  own  one's  self  in  the  wrong  a  most 
distasteful  task.  The  penitent  did  not  know  how  to  be 
gin,  so  waited  for  an  opportunity,  and  presently  it  came. 

"  Shall  you  be  glad  to  get  home,  Jenny  ?  "  she  asked 
in  her  most  caressing  tone,  as  she  hung  her  prettiest 
locket  round  her  friend's  neck ;  for  during  this  illness 
all  formality  and  coolness  had  melted  away,  and  "Miss 
Bassett  "  was  "  Jenny  dear  "  now. 

"  I  shall  be  very,  very  glad  to  see  my  precious  people 
again,  and  tell  them  all  about  my  splendid  holiday ; 
but  I  can't  help  wishing  that  we  were  to  stay  till 
spring,  now  that  we  are  here,  and  I  have  no  teaching, 
arid  may  never  get  such  another  chance.  I  'm  afraid 
it  seems  ungrateful  when  I  've  had  so  much ;  but  to  go 
back  without  seeing  Rome  is  a  trial,  I  confess,"  an 
swered  honest  Jane,  rubbing  away  at  a  very  dull  paste 
bandeau. 


POPPIES   AND  WHEAT.  169 

"  So  it  is  ;  but  I  don't  mind  so  much,  because  I  shall 
come  again  by-and-by,  and  I  mean  to  be  better  pre 
pared  to  enjoy  things  properly  than  I  am  now.  I'll 
really  study  this  winter,  and  not  be  such  a  fool. 
Jenny,  I  've  a  plan  in  my  head.  I  wonder  if  you  'd 
like  it  ]  I  should  immensely,  and  I  'm  going  to  pro 
pose  it  to  Mamma  the  minute  I  get  home,"  said  Ethel, 
glad  to  seize  this  opening. 

"  What  is  it,  deary  ] " 

"  Would  you  like  to  be  my  governess  and  teach  me 
all  you  know,  quietly,  at  home  this  winter?  I  don't 
want  to  begin  school  again  just  for  languages  and  a 
few  finishing  things,  and  I  really  think  you  would  do 
more  for  me  than  any  one  else,  because  you  know 
what  I  need,  and  are  so  patient  with  your  bad,  ungrate 
ful,  saucy  girl.  Could  you  ]  would  you  come  1 "  and 
Ethel  put  her  arms  round  Jenny's  neck  with  a  little 
sob  and  a  kiss  that  was  far  more  precious  to  Jane  than 
the  famous  diamond  necklace  of  Marie  Antoinette, 
which  she  had  been  reading  about. 

"  I  could  and  I  would  with  all  my  heart,  if  you 
want  me,  darling  !  I  think  we  know  and  love  each 
other  now,  and  can  be  happy  and  helpful  together, 
and  I  '11  come  so  gladly  if  your  mother  asks  me,"  an 
swered  Jenny,  quick  to  understand  what  underlay 
this  sudden  tenderness,  and  glad  to  accept  the  atone 
ment  offered  her  for  many  trials  which  she  would 
never  have  told  even  to  her  own  mother. 

Ethel  was  her  best  self  now,  and  her  friend  felt  well 
rewarded  for  the  past  by  this  promise  of  real  love  and 
mutual  help  in  the  future.  So  they  talked  over  the 


170  A   GAUL  AND   FOR   GIRLS. 

new  plan  in  great  spirits  till  Mrs.  Homer  came  to 
bring  them  their  share  of  a  packet  of  home  letters 
just  arrived.  She  saw  that  something  unusual  was 
going  on,  but  only  smiled,  nodded,  and  went  away 
saying,  — 

"  I  have  good  news  in  my  letters,  and  hope  yours 
will  make  you  equally  happy,  girls." 

Silence  reigned  for  a  time,  as  they  sat  reading  bus 
ily  ;  then  a  sudden  exclamation  from  Ethel  seemed  to 
produce  a  strange  effect  upon  Jenny,  for  with  a  cry  of 
joy  she  sprang  up  and  danced  all  over  the  room,  wav 
ing  her  letter  wildly  as  she  cried  out,  — 

"  I  'm  to  go  !  I  'm  to  go  !  I  can't  believe  it  —  but 
here  it  is !  How  kind,  how  very  kind,  every  one  is  to 
me  !  "  and  down  she  went  upon  her  own  little  bed  to 
hide  her  face  and  laugh  and  cry  till  Ethel  ran  to  re 
joice  with  her. 

"  Oh,  Jenny,  I  'm  so  glad  !  You  deserve  it,  and  it 's 
like  Mrs.  Homer  to  make  all  smooth  before  she  said  a 
word.  Let  me  read  what  Mamma  writes  to  you. 
Here 's  my  letter ;  see  how  sweetly  she  speaks  of 
you,  and  how  grateful  they  are  for  all  you  've  done 
for  me." 

The  letters  changed  hands ;  and  sitting  side  by 
side  in  an  affectionate  bunch,  the  girls  read  the 
happy  news  that  granted  the  cherished  wish  of  one 
and  gave  the  other  real  unselfish  pleasure  in  another's 
happiness, 

Jane  was  to  go  to  Eome  with  the  Homers  for  the 
winter,  and  perhaps  to  Greece  in  the  spring.  A  year 
of  delight  lay  before  her,  offered  in  such  a  friendly 


And  sitting  side  by  side  in  an  affectionate  bunch,  the  girls  read  the 
happv  news."  —  PAGK  170. 


POPPIES   AND   WHEAT.  171 

way,  and  with  such  words  of  commendation,  thanks, 
and  welcome,  that  the  girl's  heart  was  full,  and  she 
felt  that  every  small  sacrifice  of  feeling,  every  lonely 
hour,  and  distasteful  duty  was  richly  repaid  by  this 
rare  opportunity  to  enjoy  still  further  draughts  of  the 
wisdom,  beauty,  and  poetry  of  the  wonderful  world 
now  open  to  her. 

She  flew  off  presently  to  try  to  thank  her  good 
friends,  and  came  back  dragging  a  light  new  trunk, 
in  which  she  nearly  buried  her  small  self  as  she  excit 
edly  explained  its  appearance,  while  rattling  out  the 
trays  and  displaying  its  many  conveniences. 

"  That  dear  woman  says  I  'm  to  send  my  presents 
home  in  the  old  one  by  you,  and  take  this  to  fill  up  in 
Rome.  Think  of  it  !  A  lovely  new  French  trunk, 
and  Rome  full  of  pictures,  statues,  St.  Peter's,  and  the 
Colosseum.  It  takes  my  breath  away  and  makes  my 
head  spin." 

"  So  I  see.  It 's  a  capital  box,  but  it  won't  hold 
even  St.  Peter's,  dear ;  so  you  'd  better  calm  down  and 
pack  your  treasures.  I  '11  help,"  cried  Ethel,  sweeping 
about  in  her  gay  gown,  almost  as  wild  as  Jane,  who 
was  quite  upset  by  this  sudden  delicious  change  in  her 
prospects. 

How  happily  she  laid  away  in  the  old  trunk  the 
few  gifts  she  had  ventured  to  buy,  and  those  given 
her,  —  the  glossy  silk,  the  dainty  lace,  the  pretty 
crystals,  the  store  of  gloves,  the  flask  of  cologne,  the 
pictures  and  books,  and  last  of  all  the  sketches  which 
illustrated  the  journal  kept  so  carefully  for  those  at 
home. 


172  A    GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  Now,  when  my  letter  is  written  and  the  check  with 
all  that  is  left  of  iny  salary  put  in,  I  am  done. 
There  's  room  for  more,  and  I  wish  I  'd  got  something 
else,  now  I  feel  so  rich.  But  it  is  foolish  to  buy  gowns 
to  pay  duties  on,  when  I  don't  know  what  the  girls 
need.  I  feel  so  rich  now,  I  shall  fly  out  and  pick  up 
some  more  little  pretties  for  the  dears.  They  have  so 
few,  anything  will  be  charming  to  them,"  said  Jenny, 
proudly  surveying  her  box,  and  looking  about  for  some 
foreign  trifle  with  which  to  fill  up  the  corners. 

"  Then  let  me  put  these  in,  and  so  be  rid  of  them. 
I  shall  go  to  see  your  people  and  tell  them  all  about 
you,  and  explain  how  you  came  to  send  so  much 
rubbish." 

As  she  spoke  Ethel  slipped  in  several  Swiss  carvings, 
the  best  of  the  trinkets,  and  a  parcel  of  dainty  Parisian 
ties  and  sashes  which  would  gladden  the  hearts  of  the 
poor,  pretty  girls,  just  beginning  to  need  such  aids  to 
their  modest  toilets.  A  big  box  of  bonbons  completed 
her  contribution,  and  left  but  one  empty  corner. 

"  I  '11  tuck  in  my  old  hat  to  keep  all  steady ;  the 
girls  will  like  it  when  they  dress  up,  and  I  'm  fond  of 
it,  because  it  recalls  some  of  my  happiest  days,"  said 
Jenny,  as  she  took  up  the  well-worn  hat  and  began  to 
dust  it.  A  shower  of  grain  dropped  into  her  hand, 
for  the  yellow  wheat  still  kept  its  place  and  recalled 
the  chat  at  Schwalbach.  Ethel  glanced  at  her  own 
hat  with  its  faded  artificial  flowers  ;  and  as  her  eye 
went  from  the  small  store  of  treasures  so  carefully  and 
happily  gathered  to  the  strew  of  almost  useless  finery 
on  her  bed,  she  said  soberlv,  — 


POPPIES   AND  WHEAT.  173 

"  You  were  right,  Jenny.  My  poppies  are  worthless, 
and  my  harvest  a  very  poor  one.  Your  wheat  fell  in 
good  ground,  and  you  will  glean  a  whole  stack  before 
you  go  home.  Well,  I  shall  keep  my  old  hat  to  remind 
me  of  you ;  and  when  I  come  again,  I  hope  I  shall  have 
a  wiser  head  to  put  into  a  new  one." 


LITTLE    BUTTON-ROSE. 

"  IF  you  please,  I  Ve  come,"  said  a  small  girl,  as  she 
walked  into  a  large  room  where  three  ladies  sat  at 
work. 

One  of  the  ladies  was  very  thin,  one  very  stout,  and 
the  youngest  very  pretty.  The  eldest  put  on  her 
glasses,  the  stout  one  dropped  her  sewing,  and  the 
pretty  one  exclaimed,  — 

"  Why,  it  must  be  little  Rosamond  !  " 

"  Yes,  I  've  come  ;  the  man  is  taking  my  trunk  up 
stairs,  and  I've  got  a  letter  for  Cousin  Penelope,"  said 
the  child,  with  the  sweet  composure  of  one  always 
sure  of  a  welcome. 

The  stout  lady  held  out  her  hand  for  the  letter ;  but 
the  little  girl,  after  a  keen  look  at  the  three  faces, 
went  to  the  old  lady,  who  received  her  with  a  kiss, 
saying,  — 

"  That 's  right ;  but  how  did  you  know,  dear  1 " 

"  Oh,  Papa  said  Cousin  Penny  is  old,  Cousin  Henny 
fat,  and  Cousin  Cicely  rather  pretty;  so  I  knew  in  one 
minute,"  replied  Rosamond,  in  a  tone  of  innocent  sat 
isfaction  at  her  own  cleverness,  and  quite  unconscious 
of  the  effect  of  her  speech. 

Miss  Penelope  hastily  retired  behind  the  letter, 
Miss  Henrietta  frowned  so  heavily  that  the  gold- 


LITTLE  BUTTON-ROSE.  175 

rimmed  eye-glasses  flew  off  her  nose  with  a  clash,  and 
Cicely  laughed  outright,  as  she  exclaimed,  — 

"  I  'in  afraid  we  have  got  an  enfant  terrible  among 
us,  though  I  can't  complain  of  my  share  of  the 
compliments." 

"  I  never  expected  to  find  Clara's  child  well  man- 
ered,  and  I  see  I  was  quite  right.  Take  your  hat  off, 
Rosamond,  and  sit  down.  It  tires  Sister  to  lean  on 
her  in  that  way,"  said  Miss  Henny  in  a  severe  tone, 
with  no  offer  of  any  warmer  welcome. 

Seeing  that  something  was  amiss,  the  child  quietly 
obeyed,  and  perching  herself  in  an  ancient  arm-chair 
crossed  her  short  legs,  folded  her  plump  hands  over 
the  diminutive  travelling-bag  she  carried,  and  sat 
looking  about  the  room  with  a  pair  of  very  large  blue 
eyes,  quite  unabashed,  though  rather  pensive,  as  if 
the  memory  of  some  tender  parting  were  still  fresh  in 
her  little  heart. 

While  Miss  Penny  slowly  reads  the  letter,  Miss 
Henny  works  daisies  on  a  bit  of  canvas  with  pettish 
jerks  of  her  silk,  and  Miss  Cicely  leans  in  the  sofa- 
corner,  staring  at  the  new-comer,  we  will  briefly  in 
troduce  our  small  heroine.  Her  father  was  cousin  to 
the  elder  ladies,  and  being  called  suddenly  across  the 
water  on  business,  took  his  wife  with  him,  leaving  the 
little  girl  to  the  care  of  these  relatives,  thinking  her 
too  young  for  so  long  a  journey.  Cicely,  an  orphan 
niece  who  lived  with  the  old  ladies,  was  to  have  the 
care  of  Rosy  ;  and  a  summer  in  the  quiet  country 
town  would  do  her  good,  while  change  of  scene  would 
console  her  for  this  first  separation  from  her  mother. 


176  A  GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

How  she  fared  remains  to  be  seen ;  and  we  need  only 
add  that  the  child  had  been  well  trained,  made  the 
companion  of  a  sweet  and  tender  woman,  and  was  very 
anxious  to  please  the  parents  whom  she  passionately 
loved,  by  keeping  the  promises  she  had  made  them, 
and  being  "  as  brave  as  Papa,  as  patient  and  kind  as 
dear  Mamma." 

"  Well,  what  do  you  think  of  it,  Missy  1 "  asked 
Cicely,  as  the  blue  eyes  came  back  to  her,  after  rov 
ing  round  the  spacious,  old-fashioned,  and  rather 
gloomy  room. 

"  It 's  a  pretty  large,  dark  place  for  a  little  girl  to  be 
all  alone  in  ; "  and  there  was  a  suspicious  quiver  in  the 
childish  voice,  as  Rosy  opened  her  bag  to  produce  a 
very  small  handkerchief,  evidently  feeling  that  she 
might  have  sudden  need  of  it  if  some  one  did  not 
speak  to  her  very  soon. 

"  We  keep  it  dark  on  account  of  Sister's  eyes. 
When  /  was  a  little  girl,  it  was  n't  considered  polite  to 
say  rude  things  about  other  people's  houses,  especially 
if  they  were  very  handsome  ones,"  said  Miss  Henny, 
with  a  stern  glance  over  the  eye-glasses  at  the  young 
offender,  whose  second  remark  was  even  more  unfortu 
nate  than  her  first. 

"  I  did  n't  mean  to  be  rude,  but  I  must  tell  the 
truth.  Little  girls  like  bright  places.  I  'm  sorry 
about  Cousin  Penny's  eyes.  I  will  read  to  her ;  I  do 
to  Mamma,  and  she  says  it  is  very  well  for  a  child  only 
eight  years  old." 

The  gentle  answer  and  the  full  eyes  seemed  to  calm 
Miss  Kenny's  wrath,  for  her  size  was  her  tender  point, 


LITTLE    BUTTON-ROSE,  177 

and  the  old  house  her  especial  pride ;  so  she  dropped 
the  awe-inspiring  glasses,  and  said  more  kindly,  — 

"  There  is  a  nice  little  room  ready  for  you  upstairs, 
and  a  garden  to  play  in.  Cicely  will  hear  you  read 
every  day,  and  I  will  teach  you  to  sew,  for  of  course 
that  most  useful  part  of  your  education  has  been 
neglected." 

"  No,  ma'am,  I  sew  my  four  patches  every  day,  and 
make  little  wee  stitches,  and  I  can  hem  Papa's  hank'- 
chifs,  and  I  was  learning  to  darn  his  socks  with  a  big 
needle  when  —  when  they  went  away." 

Rosy  paused  with  a  sudden  choke ;  but  too  proud  to 
break  down,  she  only  wiped  two  drops  oft*  her  cheek 
with  the  long  ends  of  her  little  gray  silk  glove,  set  her 
lips,  and  remained  mistress  of  herself,  privately  plan 
ning  to  cry  all  she  liked  when  she  was  safely  in  the 
"  nice  little  room  "  promised  her. 

Cicely,  though  a  lazy,  selfish  young  lady,  was 
touched  by  the  child's  pathetic  face,  and  said  in  a 
friendly  tone,  as  she  patted  the  couch  where  she  lay,  — 

"  Come  here,  dear,  and  sit  by  me,  and  tell  me  what 
kind  of  a  kitten  you  'd  like  best.  I  know  of  a  sweet 
yellow  one,  and  two  grays.  Our  Tabby  is  too  old  to 
play  with  you  ;  so  you  will  want  a  kitty,  I  'm  sure." 

"  Oh  yes,  if  I  may  !  "  and  Rosy  skipped  to  the  new 
seat  with  a  smile  which  plainly  proved  that  this  sort 
of  welcome  was  just  what  she  liked. 

"  Now,  Cicely,  why  will  you  put  such  an  idea  into 
Rosamond's  head  when  you  know  we  can't  have  kittens 
round  the  house  for  Sister  to  stumble  over,  not  to 
mention  the  mischief  the  horrid  things  always  do1? 


178  A   OAKLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

Tabby  is  all  the  child  needs,  with  her  doll.  Of  course 
you  have  a  doll  1 "  and  Miss  Henny  asked  the  question 
as  solemnly  as  if  she  had  said,  "  Have  3^011  a  soul]" 

"  Oh  yes,  I  have  nine  in  my  trunk,  and  two  little 
ones  in  my  bag,  and  Mamma  is  going  to  send  me  a  big, 
big  one  from  London,  as  soon  as  she  gets  there,  to 
sleep  with  me  and  be  my  little  comfort,"  cried  Ixosy, 
rapidly  producing  from  her  bag  a  tiny  bride  and 
groom,  three  seedcakes,  a  smelling-bottle,  and  a  purse 
out  of  which  fell  a  shower  of  bright  cents,  also  crumbs 
all  over  the  immaculate  carpet. 

"  Mercy  on  us,  what  a  mess  !  Pick  it  all  up,  child, 
and  don't  unpack  any  more  in  the  parlor.  One  doll  is 
quite  enough  for  me,"  said  Miss  Henny,  with  a  sigh  of 
resignation  as  if  asking  patience  to  bear  this  new 
calamity. 

Rosy  echoed  the  sigh  as  she  crept  about  reclaiming 
her  precious  pennies,  and  eating  the  crumbs  as  the 
only  way  of  disposing  of  them. 

"  Never  mind,  it 's  only  her  way ;  the  heat  makes  her 
a  little  cross,  you  see,"  whispered  Cicely,  bending  down 
to  hold  the  bag,  into  which  Rosy  bundled  her  treasures 
in  hot  haste. 

"  I  thought  fat  people  were  always  pleasant.  I  'm 
glad  you  ain't  fat,"  answered  the  little  girl,  in  a  tone 
which  was  perfectly  audible. 

"What  would  have  happened  I  tremble  to  think,  if 
Miss  Penny  had  not  finished  the  letter  at  that 
moment  and  handed  it  to  her  sister,  saying  as  she 
held  out  her  arms  to  the  child,  — 

'*  Now  I  know  all  about  it,  and  you  are  to  be  my 


LITTLE  BUTTON-ROSE.  179 

baby ;  so  come  and  give  me  some  sweet  kisses, 
darling." 

Down  dropped  the  bag,  and  with  a  little  sob  of  joy 
the  child  nestled  close  to  the  kind  old  heart  that  wel 
comed  her  so  tenderly  at  last. 

"  Papa  calls  me  his  button-rose,  'cause  I  'm  so  small 
and  pink  and  sweet,  and  thorny  too  sometimes,"  she 
said,  looking  up  brightly,  after  a  few  moments  of  the 
fond  and  foolish  cuddling  all  little  creatures  love  and 
need  so  much  when  they  leave  the  nest,  and  miss  the 
brooding  of  motherly  wings. 

"We'll  call  you  anything  you  like,  darling;  but 
Rosamond  is  a  pretty  old  name,  and  I  'm  fond  of  it, 
for  it  was  your  grandmamma's,  and  a  sweeter  woman 
never  lived,"  said  Miss  Penny,  stroking  the  fresh 
cheeks,  where  the  tears  shone  like  dew  on  pink  rose- 
leaves. 

"I- shall  call  you  Chicken  Little,  because  we  have 
Henny  and  Penny  ;  and  the  girls  and  Tab  downstairs 
can  be  Goosey-Loosey,  Turkey-Lurkey,  and  Cocky- 
Locky.  I  '11  be  Ducky-Lucky,  and  I  'm  sure  Foxy- 
Loxy  lives  next  door,''  said  Cicely,  laughing  at  her 
own  wit,  while  Miss  Henny  looked  up,  saying,  with 
the  first  smile  Rosy  had  seen,  — 

"  That's  true  enough!  and  I  hope  Chicken  Little 
will  keep  out  of  his  way,  no  matter  if  the  sky  does 
fall." 

"  Who  is  it  1  A  truly  fox  1  1  never  ?aw  one.  Could 
I  peep  at  him  sometime  1 "  cried  the  child,  much  in 
terested  at  once. 

"  No,  dear ;  it 's  only  a  neighbor  of  ours  who  has 


180  A   GARLAND  FOR   GIRLS. 

treated  us  badly,  at  least  we  think  so,  and  we  don't 
speak,  though  we  used  to  be  good  friends  some  years 
ago.  It 's  sad  to  live  so,  but  we  don't  quite  see  how  to 
help  it  yet.  We  are  ready  to  do  our  part ;  but  Mr. 
Dover  should  take  the  first  step,  as  he  was  in  the 
wrong." 

"Please  tell  about  it.  I  have  horrid  quarrels  with 
Mamie  Parsons  sometimes,  but  we  always  kiss  and 
make  up,  and  feel  all  happy  again.  Can't  you,  Cousin 
Penny  1 "  asked  the  child,  softly  touching  the  little 
white  curls  under  the  lace  cap. 

"  Well,  no,  dear ;  grown  people  cannot  settle  differ 
ences  in  that  pretty  way.  We  must  wait  till  he  apol 
ogizes,  and  then  we  shall  gladly  be  friends  again. 
You  see  Mr.  Dover  was  a  missionary  in  India  for  many 
years,  and  we  were  very  intimate  with  his  mother. 
Our  gardens  join,  and  a  gate  in  our  fence  led  across 
their  field  to  the  back  street,  and  was  most  convenient 
when  we  wanted  to  walk  by  the  river  or  send  the 
maids  on  errands  in  a  hurry.  The  old  lady  was  very 
neighborly,  and  we  were  quite  comfortable  till  Thomas 
came  home  and  made  trouble.  He  'd  lost  his  wife  and 
children,  poor  man,  and  his  liver  was  out  of  order,  and 
living  among  the  heathen  so  long  had  made  him  mel 
ancholy  and  queer ;  so  he  tried  to  amuse  himself  with 
gardening  and  keeping  hens." 

"  I  'm  glad  !  I  love  flowers  and  biddies,"  murmured 
Eosy,  listening  with  deep  interest  to  this  delightful 
mixture  of  quarrels  and  heathen,  sorrow,  poultry,  mys 
terious  diseases,  and  gardens. 

"  He  had  no  right  to  shut  up  our  gate  and  forbid  our 


LITTLE   BUTTOX-ROSE.  181 

crossing  that  little  field,  and  no  gentleman  would  have 
dared  to  do  it  after  all  our  kindness  to  his  mother," 
exclaimed  Miss  Henny,  so  suddenly  and  violently  that 
Rosamond  nearly  fell  off  the  old  lady's  lap  with  the 
start  she  gave. 

"  No,  sister,  I  don't  agree  there.  Mr.  Thomas  had  a 
perfect  right  to  do  as  he  liked  with  his  own  land ;  but 
I  think  we  should  have  had  no  trouble  if  you  had  been 
willing  to  sell  him  the  corner  of  our  garden  where  the 
old  summer-house  is,  for  his  hens,"  began  Miss  Penny 
in  a  mild  tone. 

"  Sister  !  you  know  the  tender  memories  connected 
with  that  bower,  and  how  terrible  it  would  have  been 
to  me  to  see  it  torn  down,  and  noisy  fowls  clucking 
and  pecking  where  I  and  my  poor  Calvin  once  sat 
together,"  cried  Miss  Henny,  trying  to  look  sentimen 
tal,  which  was  an  impossible  feat  for  a  stout  lady  in  a 
flowery  muslin  gown,  and  a  fly-away  cap  full  of  blue 
ribbons,  on  a  head  once  flaxen  and  now  gray. 

"  We  won't  discuss  the  point,  Henrietta,"  said  the 
elder  lady  with  dignity;  whereupon  the  other  returned 
to  the  letter,  bridling  and  tossing  her  head  in  a  way 
which  caused  Rosy  to  stare,  and  resolve  to  imitate  it 
when  she  played  be  a  proud  princess  with  her  dolls. 

*'  Well,  dear,  that  was  the  beginning  of  the  trouble," 
continued  Miss  Penny;  "and  now  we  don't  speak,  and 
the  old  lady  misses  us,  I  'm  sure,  and  I  often  long  to 
run  in  and  see  her,  and  I  'm  so  sorry  you  can't  enjoy 
the  wonders  of  that  house,  for  it 's  full  of  beautiful 
and  curious  things,  most  instructive  for  children  to 
observe.  Mr.  Thomas  has  been  a  great  traveller,  and 


182  A   OAKLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

has  a  tiger  skin  in  the  parlor  so  natural  it's  quite  start 
ling  to  behold ;  also  spears,  and  bows  and  arrows, 
and  necklaces  of  shark's  teeth,  from  the  Cannibal 
Islands,  and  the  loveliest  stuffed  birds,  my  dear,  all 
over  the  place,  and  pretty  shells  and  baskets,  and  ivory 
toys,  and  odd  dresses,  and  no  end  of  wonderful  treas 
ures.  Such  a  sad  pity  you  can't  see  them  !  "  and  Miss 
Penny  looked  quite  distressed  at  the  child's  loss. 

"  Oh,  but  I  guess  I  will  see  'em  !  Every  one  is  good 
to  me,  and  old  gentlemen  like  little  girls.  Papa  says 
so,  and  he  always  does  what  I  want  when  I  say 
*  Please '  with  my  wheedulin  smile,  as  he  calls  it," 
said  Rosy,  giving  them  a  sample  of  the  most  engaging 
sort. 

*'  You  funny  little  thing,  do  try  it,  and  soften  the 
heart  of  that  tiresome  man  !  He  has  the  finest  roses 
in  town  and  the  most  delicious  fruit,  and  we  never  get 
any,  though  he  sends  quantities  everywhere  else. 
Such  a  fuss  over  an  old  earwiggy  arbor  !  It  is  per 
fectly  provoking,  when  we  might  enjoy  so  much  over 
there  ;  and  who  knows  what  might  happen  !" 

As  Cicely  spoke,  she  smoothed  her  brown  curls  and 
glanced  at  the  mirror,  quite  conscious  that  a  very 
pretty  young  lady  of  twenty  was  wasting  her  sweetness 
in  the  great  gloomy  house,  with  two  elderly  spinsters. 

"  I'll  get  some  for  you,"  answered  Rosy,  with  a  nod 
of  such  calm  conviction  of  her  own  power,  that  Cicely 
laughed  again,  and  proposed  that  she  should  go  at 
once  and  view  the  battle-field. 

"  Could  I  run  in  the  garden  1  I  'd  love  to,  after 
riding  so  long,"  asked  Rosy,  eager  to  be  off ;  for  her 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  183 

active  legs  ached  for  exercise,  and  the  close,  shady 
room  oppressed  her. 

"  Yes,  dear  ;  but  don't  get  into  mischief,  or  worry 
Tabby,  or  pick  the  flowers.  Of  coarse  you  wouldn't 
touch  green  fruit,  or  climb  trees,  or  soil  your  little 
frock.  I  '11  ring  the  bell  for  you  to  come  in  and  be 
dressed  for  tea  when  it  is  time." 

With  these  directions  and  a  kiss,  Miss  Penny,  as 
Cicely  did  not  stir,  let  the  child  out  at  the  back  door 
of  the  long  hall,  and  watched  her  walk  demurely  down 
the  main  path  of  the  prim  old  garden,  where  no  child 
had  played  for  years,  and  even  the  toads  and  fat  rob 
ins  behaved  in  the  most  decorous  manner. 

"It's  pretty  dull,  but  it's  better  than  the  parlor 
with  all  the  staring  pictures,"  said  Rosy  to  herself, 
after  a  voyage  of  discovery  had  shown  her  the  few 
charms  of  the  place.  The  sight  of  a  large  yellow  cat 
reposing  in  the  sun  cheered  her  eyes  at  that  moment, 
and  she  hastened  to  scrape  acquaintance  with  the 
stately  animal ;  for  the  snails  were  not  social,  and  the 
toads  stared  even  more  fixedly  at  her  than  the  painted 
eyes  of  her  respected  ancestors. 

But  Tabby  disliked  children  as  much  as  her  mis 
tress,  and  after  submitting  ungraciously  to  a  few 
caresses  from  the  eager  little  hands,  she  rose  and 
retired  majestically  to  a  safer  perch  on  the  top  of  the 
high  wall  which  enclosed  the  garden.  Being  too  lazy 
to  jump,  she  walked  up  the  shelves  of  an  old  flower- 
stand  moulding  in  a  corner,  and  by  so  doing,  gave 
Rosy  a  brilliant  idea,  which  she  at  once  put  into  action 
by  following  Tabby's  example.  Up  this  new  sort  of 


184  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

ladder  she  went,  and  peeped  over  the  wall,  delighted 
at  this  unexpected  chance  to  behold  the  enemy's 
territory. 

"  Oh,  what  a  pretty  place  !  "  she  cried,  clasping  her 
grubby  little  hands  with  rapture,  as  the  beauties  of 
the  forbidden  land  burst  upon  her  view. 

It  was  indeed  a  paradise  to  a  child's  eyes,  — for  flow 
ers  bloomed  along  the  winding  paths  ;  ripening  fruit  lay 
rosy  and  tempting  in  the  beds  below  ;  behind  the  wire 
walls  that  confined  them  clucked  and  strutted  various 
sorts  of  poultry ;  cages  of  gay  birds  hung  on  the 
piazza;  and  through  the  open  windows  of  the  house 
one  caught  glimpses  of  curious  curtains,  bright  weap 
ons,  and  mysterious  objects  in  the  rooms  beyond. 

A  gray-headed  gentleman  in  a  queer  nankeen  coat 
lay  asleep  on  a  bamboo  lounge  under  the  great  cherry- 
tree,  with  a  purple  silk  handkerchief  half  over  his  face. 

"  That 's  the  missionary  man,  I  s'pose.  He  doesn't 
look  cross  at  all.  If  I  could  only  get  down  there,  1  'd 
go  and  wake  him  with  a  softly  kiss,  as  I  do  Papa,  and 
ask  to  see  his  pretty  things." 

Being  quite  unconscious  of  fear,  Rosy  certainly 
would  have  carried  out  her  daring  plan,  had  it  been 
possible ;  but  no  way  of  descending  on  the  other  side 
appeared,  so  she  sighed  and  sat  gazing  wistfully,  till 
Cousin  Henny  appeared  for  a  breath  of  fresh  air,  and 
ordered  her  down  at  once. 

"  Come  and  see  if  my  balsam-seeds  have  started  yet. 
I  keep  planting  them,  but  they  won't  come  up,"  she 
said,  pointing  out  a  mound  of  earth  newly  dug  and 

»tered. 


LITTLE   BUTTON -ROSE.  185 

Rosy  obediently  scrambled  up,  and  was  trying  to 
decide  whether  some  green  sprouts  were  chickweed  or 
the  dilatory  balsams  when  a  sudden  uproar  in  the  next 
garden  made  her  stop  to  listen,  while  Miss  Henny 
said  in  a  tone  of  great  satisfaction,  as  the  cackle  of 
hens  arose,  — 

"  Some  trouble  with  those  horrid  fowls  of  his.  I 
detest  them,  crowing  in  the  night,  and  waking  us  at 
dawn  with  their  noise.  I  wish  some  thief  would  steal 
every  one  of  them.  Nobody  has  a  right  to  annoy 
their  neighbors  with  troublesome  pets." 

Before  Itosy  could  describe  the  beauties  of  the 
white  bantams  or  the  size  of  the  big  golden  cock,  a 
loud  voice  cried,  — 

"  You  rascal !  I  '11  hang  you  if  I  catch  you  here 
again.  Go  home  quicker  than  you  came,  and  tell  your 
mistress  to  teach  you  better  manners,  if  she  values 
your  life." 

"  It 's  that  man  !  Such  language  !  I  wonder  who 
he 's  caught  1  That  bad  boy  who  steals  our  plums, 
perhaps." 

The  words  were  hardly  out  of  Miss  Kenny's  mouth 
when  her  question  was  answered  in  a  sudden  and 
dreadful  way  ;  for  over  the  wall,  hurled  by  a  strong 
arm,  flew  Tabby,  high  in  the  air,  to  fall  with  a  thump 
directly  in  the  middle  of  the  bed  where  they  stood. 
Miss  Hennj  uttered  a  shrill  scream,  caught  up  her 
stunned  treasure,  and  rushed  into  the  house  as  fast  as 
her  size  and  flounces  permitted,  leaving  Rosy  breath 
less  with  surprise  and  indignation. 

Burning  to  resent  this  terrible  outrage,  she  climbad 


186  A  OAKLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

quickly  up  the  steps,  and  astonished  the  irate  old  gen 
tleman  on  the  other  side  by  the  sudden  apparition  of 
a  golden  head,  a  red  childish  face,  and  a  dirty  little 
finger  pointed  sternly  at  him,  as  this  small  avenging 
angel  demanded,  — 

"  Missionary  man,  how  could  you  kill  my  cousin's 
cat  1 " 

"  Bless  my  soul !  who  are  you  1 "  said  the  old  gentle 
man,  staring  at  this  unexpected  actor  on  the  field  of 
battle. 

"  I  'm  Button-Rose,  and  I  hate  cruel  people  !  Tabby  's 
dead,  and  now  there  is  n't  any  one  to  play  with  over 
here." 

This  sad  prospect  made  the  blue  eyes  fill  with  sud 
den  tears;  and  the  application  of  the  dirty  fingers 
added  streaks  of  mud  to  the  red  cheeks,  which  much 
damaged  the  appearance  of  the  angel,  though  it  added 
pathos  to  the  child's  reproach. 

"  Cats  have  nine  lives,  and  Tabby  's  used  to  being 
chucked  over  the  wall.  I  've  done  it  several  times, 
and  it  seems  to  agree  with  her,  for  she  comes  back  to 
kill  my  chicks  as  bold  as  brass.  See  that !  "  and  the 
old  gentleman  held  up  a  downy  dead  chicken,  as  proof 
of  Tabby's  sin. 

"  Poor  little  chicky !  "  groaned  Rosy,  yearning  to 
mourn  over  the  dear  departed  and  bury  it  with  tender 
•care.  "It  was  very  naughty  of  Tab;  but,  sir,  you 
know  cats  are  made  to  catch  things,  and  they  can't 
help  it." 

"  They  will  have  to  help  it,  or  I  '11  drown  the  lot. 
This  is  a  rare  breed,  and  I  Ve  but  two  left  after  all  my 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  187 

trouble,  thanks  to  that  rascal  of  yours  !  What  are  you 
going  to  do  about  it  '?"  demanded  Mr.  Dover,  in  a  tone 
that  made  Rosy  feel  as  if  she  had  committed  the  mur 
der  herself. 

"  I  '11  talk  to  Tabby  and  try  to  make  her  good,  and 
I  '11  shut  her  up  in  the  old  rabbit-house  over  here ; 
then  I  hope  she  will  be  sorry  and  never  do  it  any 
more,"  she  said,  in  such  a  remorseful  tone  that  the 
old  gentleman  relented  at  once,  ashamed  to  afflict  such 
a  tender  little  soul. 

"  Try  it,"  he  said,  with  a  smile  that  made  his  yellow 
face  pleasant  all  at  once.  Then,  as  if  ready  to  change 
the  subject,  he  asked,  looking  curiously  at  the  little 
figure  perched  on  the  wall,  — 

"  Where  did  you  come  from]  Never  saw  any  chil 
dren  over  there  before.  They  don't  allow  'em." 

Rosy  introduced  herself  in  a  few  words,  and  see 
ing  that  her  new  acquaintance  seemed  interested, 
she  added  with  the  wheedling  smile  Papa  found  so 
engaging,  — 

"  It 's  pretty  lonely  here,  I  guess ;  so  p'r'aps  you  '11 
let  me  peep  at  your  nice  garden  sometimes  if  it  does  n't 
trouble  you,  sir  1 " 

"  Poor  little  soul !  it  must  be  desperately  dull  with 
those  three  tabbies,"  he  said  to  himself,  as  he  stroked 
the  dead  chicken  in  his  hand,  and  watched  the  little 
face  bent  toward  him. 

"  Peep  as  much  as  you  like,  child ;  or,  better  still, 
come  over  and  run  about,  /like  little  girls,"  he  added 
aloud,  with  a  nod  and  a  wave  of  welcome. 

"  I  told  'em  I  was  sure  you  did  !    I  'd  love  to  come, 


188  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

but  they  would  n't  let  me,  I  know.  I  'in  so  sorry 
about  the  fight.  Could  n't  you  make  it  up,  and  be 
pleasant  again1?"  asked  Rosy,  clasping  her  hands  with 
a  beseeching  gesture  as  her  bright  face  grew  sad  and 
serious  remembering  the  feud. 

"  So  they  've  told  you  that  nonsense  already,  have 
they  1  Nice  neighbors  they  are,"  said  the  old  gentle 
man,  frowning  as  if  ill  pleased  at  the  news. 

"  I  'm  glad  I  know ;  p'r'aps  I  can  be  a  peacemaker. 
Mamma  says  they  are  good  to  have  in  families,  and 
I  'd  like  to  be  one  if  I  could.  Would  you  mind  if  I 
tried  to  peace-make  a  little,  so  I  could  come  over  1  I 
do  want  to  see  the  red  birds  and  the  tiger  skin 
awfully,  if  you  please." 

"  What  do  you  know  about  'em  1 "  asked  the  old  gen 
tleman,  sitting  down  on  a  garden  chair,  as  if  he  did  n't 
mind  continuing  the  chat  with  this  new  neighbor. 

Nearly  tumbling  off  the  wall  in  her  earnestness, 
Rosy  repeated  all  that  Cousin  Penny  had  said  ;  and 
something  in  the  reasonable  words,  the  nattering  de 
scription  of  his  treasures,  and  the  sincere  regret  of 
the  old  lady  seemed  to  have  a  good  effect  upon  Mr. 
Dover,  for  when  Rosy  paused  out  of  breath,  he  said  in 
such  an  altered  tone  that  it  was  evident  the  peace 
making  had  already  begun,  — 

"  Miss  Carey  is  a  gentlewoman  !  I  always  thought 
so.  You  tell  her,  with  my  compliments,  that  I  'd  be 
glad  to  see  you  any  time  if  she  has  no  objection.  I  '11 
put  my  step-ladder  there,  and  you  can  come  over 
instead  of  the  cat.  But  mind  you  don't  meddle,  or  I 
might  give  you  a  toss  like  Tabby." 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  189 

"  I  'in  not  afraid,"  laughed  Rosy.  "  I  '11  go  and  ask 
right  away,  and  I  won't  touch  a  thing,  and  I  know 
you  '11  like  me  for  a  friend.  Papa  says  I  'm  a  dear 
little  one.  Thank  you  very  much,  sir.  Good-by  till 
I  come  again  ;  "  and  with  a  kiss  of  the  hand,  the  yellow 
head  sunk  out  of  sight  like  the  sun  going  down,  leav 
ing  a  sense  of  darkness  behind  when  the  beaming  lit 
tle  face  disappeared,  though  fresh  stains  of  green 
mould  from  the  wall  made  it  rather  like  the  tattooed 
countenances  Mr.  Dover  used  to  see  among  his  canni 
bal  friends  in  Africa. 

He  sat  musing  with  the  dead  chicken  in  his  hand, 
forgetful  of  time,  till  a  ring  of  his  own  door-bell  called 
him  in  to  receive  a  note  from  Miss  Penelope,  thanking 
him  for  his  invitation  to  little  Rosamond,  but  declining 
it  in  the  most  polite  and  formal  words. 

"  I  expected  it !  Bless  the  silly  old  souls  !  why  can't 
they  be  reasonable,  and  accept  the  olive  branch  when 
I  offer  it  1  I  '11  be  hanged  if  I  do  again  !  The  fat  one 
is  at  the  bottom  of  this.  Miss  Pen  would  give  in  if 
that  absurd  Henrietta  did  n't  hold  her  back.  Well, 
I  'm  sorry  for  the  child,  but  that 's  not  my  fault ; "  and 
throwing  down  the  note,  Mr.  Dover  went  out  to  water 
his  roses. 

For  a  week  or  two,  Button-Rose  hardly  dared  glance 
toward  the  forbidden  spot  from  her  window,  as  she  was 
ordered  to  play  in  the  front  garden,  and  sent  to  take 
sober  walks  with  Cicely,  who  loved  to  stop  and  gossip 
with  her  friends,  while  the  poor  child  waited  patiently 
till  the  long  tales  were  told. 

Nursing  Tabby  was  her  chief  consolation  ;  and  so 


190  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

kind  was  she,  that  the  heart  of  the  old  cat  softened  to 
her,  and  she  actually  purred  her  thanks  at  last,  for  all 
the  saucers  of  cream,  bits  of  chicken,  soft  pats,  and 
tender  words  bestowed  upon  her  by  the  little  girl. 

"  Well,  I  declare  !  Tab  won't  do  that  even  for  me," 
said  Miss  Henny,  one  day  when  she  came  upon  the 
child  sitting  alone  in  the  hall  with  a  picture-book  and 
the  cat  comfortably  asleep  in  her  lap. 

"  Animals  always  love  me,  if  people  don't,"  answered 
Button-Rose,  soberly ;  for  she  had  not  yet  forgiven  the 
stout  lady  for  denying  her  the  delights  offered  by  the 
"missionary  man." 

"  That 's  because  an-i-mals  can't  see  how  naughty  you 
are  sometimes,"  said  Miss  Henny  tartly,  not  having 
recovered  her  temper  even  after  many  days. 

"  I  shall  make  every  one  love  me  before  I  go  away. 
Mamma  told  me  to,  and  I  shall.  I  know  how ;  "  and 
Button  smiled  with  a  wise  little  nod  that  was  pretty 
to  see,  as  she  proudly  cuddled  her  first  conquest. 

"We  shall  see;"  and  Miss  Henny  ponderously 
departed,  wondering  what  odd  fancy  the  little  thing 
would  take  into  her  head  next. 

It  was  soon  evident ;  for  when  she  came  down  from 
her  long  nap,  later  in  the  afternoon,  Miss  Henny  found 
Rosamond  reading  aloud  to  her  sister  in  the  great  dim 
parlor.  They  made  a  curious  contrast,  —  the  pale, 
white-haired,  feeble  old  lady,  with  her  prim  dress,  high 
cap,  knitting,  and  shaded  eyes  ;  and  the  child,  rosy  and 
round,  quaint  and  sweet,  a  pretty  little  ornament  for  the 
old-fashioned  room,  as  she  sat  among  the  tea-poys  and 
samplers,  ancient  china  and  furniture,  with  the  por- 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  191 

traits  of  great  grandfathers  and  grandmothers  simper 
ing  and  staring  at  her,  as  if  pleased  and  surprised  to 
see  such  a  charming  little  descendant  among  them. 

"  Bless  the  baby  !  what  is  she  at  now  1 "  asked  Miss 
Henny,  feeling  more  amiable  after  her  sleep. 

"  I  'in  reading  to  Cousin  Penny,  'cause  no  one  else 
does,  and  her  poor  eyes  hurt  her,  and  she  likes  stories, 
and  so  do  I,"  answered  Button,  with  one  chubby  fin 
ger  on  the  place  in  her  book,  and  eyes  full  of  pride  at 
the  grown-up  employment  she  had  found  for  herself. 

"  So  kind  of  the  little  dear  !  She  found  me  alone 
and  wanted  to  amuse  me  ;  so  I  proposed  a  story  to  suit 
us  both,  and  she  does  very  well  with  a  little  help  now 
and  then.  I  have  n't  read  '  Simple  Susan  '  for  years, 
and  really  enjoy  it.  Maria  Edgeworth  was  always  a 
favorite  of  mine,  and  I  still  think  her  far  superior  to 
any  modern  writer  for  the  young,"  said  Miss  Penny, 
looking  quite  animated  and  happy  in  the  new  enter 
tainment  provided  for  her. 

"  Go  on,  child  ;  let  me  hear  how  well  you  can  read  ;" 
and  Miss  Henny  settled  herself  in  the  sofa-corner  with 
her  embroidery. 

So  Button  started  bravely  off,  and  tried  so  hard  that 
she  was  soon  out  of  breath.  As  she  paused,  she  said 
with  a  gasp,  — 

"  Is  n't  Susan  a  dear  girl  1  She  gives  all  the  best 
things  to  other  people,  and  is  kind  to  the  old  harper. 
She  did  n't  send  him  away,  as  you  did  the  music-man 
to-day,  and  tell  him  to  be  still." 

"  Organs  are  a  nuisance,  and  I  never  allow  them 
here.  Go  on,  and  don't  criticise  your  elders,  Rosamond." 


192  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

"  Mamma  and  I  always  talk  over  stories,  and  pick 
out  the  morals  of  'em.  She  likes  it;"  with  which 
remark,  made  sweetly  not  pertly,  Button  went  on  to 
the  end,  with  an  occasional  lift  over  a  long  word ;  and 
the  old  ladies  were  interested,  in  spite  of  themselves, 
in  the  simple  tale  read  in  that  childish  voice. 

"  Thank  you,  dear,  it  is  very  nice,  and  we  will  have 
one  every  day.  Now,  what  can  I  do  for  you  1 "  asked 
Miss  Penny,  as  the  little  girl  pushed  the  curls  off  her 
forehead,  with  a  sigh  of  mingled  weariness  and 
satisfaction. 

"  Let  me  go  in  the  back  garden  and  peep  through 
the  knot-hole  at  the  pretty  roses.  I  do  long  to  see  if 
the  moss  ones  are  out,  and  the  cherries  ripe,"  said 
Rosy,  clasping  her  hands  imploringly. 

"  It  can  do  no  harm,  Henrietta.  Yes,  dear,  run  away 
and  get  some  catnip  for  Tabby,  and  see  if  the  balsams 
are  up  yet." 

That  last  suggestion  won  Miss  Kenny's  consent ;  and 
Button  was  off  at  once,  skipping  like  a  young  colt  all 
over  the  garden,  which  now  seemed  delightful  to 
her. 

At  the  back  of  the  summer-house  was  a  narrow 
space  between  it  and  the  fence  where  certain  plump 
toads  lived  ;  peeping  in  to  watch  them,  Rosy  had  spied  a 
large  knot-hole  in  the  old  boards,  and  through  it  found 
she  could  get  a  fine  view  of  several  rose-bushes,  a  tree, 
and  one  window  of  the  " missionary  man's"  house. 
She  had  longed  for  another  peep  since  the  flower- 
stand  was  gone,  and  climbing  trees  forbidden ;  now 
with  joy  she  slipped  into  the  damp  nook,  regard- 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  193 

fjss  of  the  speckled  gentlemen  who  stared  at  her  with 
dismay,  and  took  a  good  look  at  the  forbidden  paradise 
beyond. 

Yes,  the  "  moss  ones "  were  in  bloom,  the  cherries 
quite  red,  and  at  the  window  was  the  gray  head  of  Mr. 
Dover,  as  he  sat  reading  in  his  queer  yellow  dressing- 
gown. 

Button  yearned  to  get  in,  and  leaned  so  hard 
against  the  hateful  fence  that  the  rotten  board  cracked, 
a  long  bit  fell  out,  and  she  nearly  went  after  it,  as  it 
dropped  upon  the  green  bank  below.  Now  the  full 
splendor  of  the  roses  burst  upon  her,  and  a  delightful 
gooseberry  bush  stood  close  by  with  purplish  berries 
temptingly  bobbing  within  reach.  This  obliging  bush 
hid  the  hole,  but  left  fine  openings  to  see  through ;  so 
the  child  popped  her  curly  head  out,  and  gazed 
delightedly  at  the  chickens,  the  flowers,  the  fruit,  and 
the  unconscious  old  gentleman  not  far  away. 

"  I  '11  have  it  for  my  secret ;  or  maybe  I  '11  tell 
Cousin  Penny,  and  beg  her  to  let  me  peep  if  I  truly 
promise  never  to  go  in,"  thought  Button,  knowing  well 
who  her  best  friend  was. 

At  bedtime,  when  the  dear  old  lady  came  to  give 
the  good-night  kiss,  which  the  others  forgot,  Rosy,  as 
Miss  Penny  called  her,  made  her  request ;  and  it  was 
granted,  for  Miss  Penny  had  a  feeling  that  the  little 
peacemaker  would  sooner  or  later  heal  the  breach 
with  her  pretty  magic,  and  so  she  was  very  ready  to 
lend  a  hand  in  a  quiet  way. 

Next  day  at  play-time,  Button  was  hurrying  down 
her  last  bit  of  gingerbread,  which  she  was  obliged  to 
13 


194  A    GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

eat  properly  in  the  dining-room,  instead  of  enjoying 
out-of-doors,  when  she  heard  a  sudden  flurry  in  the 
garden,  and  running  to  the  window  saw  Roxy  the 
maid  chasing  a  chicken  to  and  fro,  while  Miss  Henny 
stood  flapping  her  skirts  on  the  steps,  and  crying, 
"  Shoo  ! "  till  she  was  red  in  the  face. 

"  It 's  the  white  banty,  and  it  must  have  come  in 
my  hole !  Oh  dear,  I  hope  they  won't  catch  it ! 
Cousin  Henny  said  she  'd  wring  the  neck  of  the  first 
one  that  flied  over  the  wall." 

Away  wrent  Rosy,  to  join  in  the  hunt ;  for  Miss 
Henny  was  too  fat  to  run,  and  Roxy  found  the  lively 
fowl  too  much  for  her.  It  was  a  long  and  hard  chase  ; 
feathers  flew,  the  maid  lost  her  breath,  Rosy  tumbled 
down,  and  Miss  Henny  screamed  and  scolded  till  she 
was  forced  to  sit  down  and  watch  in  silence. 

At  last  poor,  hunted  Banty  ran  into  the  arbor,  for 
its  clipped  wings  would  not  lift  it  over  the  wall.  But 
ton  rushed  after  it,  and  dismal  squalls  plainly  pro 
claimed  that  the  naughty  chicken  was  caught. 

Miss  Henny  waddled  down  the  path,  declaring  that 
she  would  wring  its  neck ;  and  Roxy  went  puffing  after 
her,  glad  to  rest.  But  the  old  summer-house  was 
empty.  !N"o  little  girl,  no  ruffled  bantam,  appeared. 
Both  had  vanished  like  magic ;  and  mistress  and  maid 
stared  at  each  other  in  amazement,  till  they  saw  that 
the  long-disused  window  was  open,  and  a  gleam  of 
light  came  in  from  the  narrow  opening  behind. 

"  My  patience  !  if  that  child  has  n't  crept  out  there, 
and  bolted  through  that  hole  in  the  fence !  Did  you 
ever,  Miss  ? "  exclaimed  Roxy,  trying  not  to  look 


LITTLE  BUTTON-ROSE.  195 

pleased  at  being  spared  the  distasteful  task  of  killing 
the  poor  chicken. 

"  Naughty  girl  ! "  began  Miss  Henny,  when  the 
sound  of  voices  made  both  listen.  "  Slip  in  there,  and 
see  what  is  going  on,"  said  the  mistress,  well  knowing 
that  her  stout  person  never  could  be  squeezed  into  the 
small  space  between  house  and  fence. 

Ixoxy,  being  thin,  easily  obeyed,  and  in  a  whisper  tel 
ephoned  what  went  on  beyond  the  hole,  causing  Miss 
Henny  much  vexation,  surprise,  and  at  last  real  pleas 
ure,  as  the  child  performed  her  little  part  in  the  mis 
sion  she  had  undertaken. 

"  Oh,  please,  it 's  all  my  fault !  I  kept  the  hole 
open,  Mr.  Thomas,  and  so  Banty  flied  in.  But  it 
is  n't  hurt  a  bit,  and  I  've  brought  it  home  all  safe, 
'cause  I  know  you  love  your  chickies,  and  Tabby  ate 
lots  of  'em,"  said  the  childish  voice  in  its  most  concili 
atory  tone. 

"  Why  did  n't  you  fling  it  over  the  wall,  as  I  did  the 
cat1?"  asked  Mr.  Dover,  smiling,  as  he  shut  up  the 
truant  fowl,  and  turned  to  look  at  the  rosy,  breathless 
child,  whose  pink  frock  bore  the  marks  of  many  a 
tumble  on  grass  and  gravel. 

"  It  would  hurt  Banty's  feelings,  and  yours  too,  and 
not  be  polite.  So  I  came  myself,  to  make  some  polly- 
gies,  and  say  it  was  my  fault.  But,  please,  could  I 
keep  the  hole  to  peep  through,  if  I  always  put  up  a 
board  when  I  go  away  1  It  is  so  dull  in  there,  and  so 
sweet  in  here  ! " 

"  Don't  you  think  a  little  gate  would  be  nicer,  —  one 
just  big  enough  for  you,  with  a  hook  to  fasten  it? 


196  A  GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

AYe'll  call  it  a  button-hole/'  laughed  Mr.  Dover. 
"  Then  you  could  peep  ;  or  perhaps  the  ladies  will  think 
better  of  it,  and  show  that  they  pardon  my  ill  treat 
ment  of  Tabby  by  letting  you  come  in  and  pick  some 
cherries  and  roses  now  and  then." 

This  charming  proposal  caused  the  little  girl  to  clasp 
her  hands  and  cry  aloud,  — 

"  That  would  be  perfully  sp'endid  !  I  know  Cousin 
Penny  would  like  it,  and  let  me.  P'r'aps  she  'd  come 
herself;  she's  so  thin,  she  could,  and  she  loves  your 
mother  and  wants  to  see  her.  Only,  Cousin  Henny 
won't  let  us  be  nice  and  friendly.  S'pose  you  send 
her  some  cherries ;  she  loves  good  things  to  eat,  and 
maybe  she  will  say  yes,  if  you  send  lots." 

Mr.  Dover  laughed  at  this  artless  proposal,  and  Miss 
Henny  smiled  at  the  prospect  of  a  gift  of  the  luscious 
black-heart  cherries  she  had  been  longing  for.  Roxy 
wisely  repeated  only  the  agreeable  parts  of  the  conver 
sation  ;  so  nothing  ruffled  the  lady's  temper.  Now, 
whether  Mr.  Dover's  sharp  eye  caught  a  glimpse  of 
the  face  among  the  gooseberry  bushes,  and  suspected 
eavesdroppers,  or  whether  the  child's  earnest  desire  to 
make  peace  touched  him,  who  shall  say  1  Certain  it 
is  that  his  eyes  twinkled  like  a  boy's,  as  he  said 
rather  loudly,  in  his  most  affable  tone,  — 

"  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  send  Miss  Henrietta  a 
basket  of  fruit.  She  used  to  be  a  charming  young 
woman.  It 's  a  pity  she  shuts  herself  up  so  much  ; 
but  that  sad  little  romance  of  hers  has  darkened 
her  life,  I  suppose.  Ah,  well,  I  can  sympathize 
with  her  !  " 


LITTLE    BUTTON-ROSE.  197 

Rosy  stared  at  the  sudden  change  in  his  manner, 
and  was  rather  bewildered  by  his  grown-up  way  of 
talking  to  her.  But  being  intent  on  securing  some- 
tiling  nice  to  carry  home,  she  stuck  to  the  cherries, 
which  she  did  understand,  and  pointing  to  the  piazza 
said  with  a  business-like  air,  — 

"  There  's  a  basket ;  so  we  might  pick  'em  right  away 
I  love  to  go  up  in  trees  and  throw  'em  down  ;  and  \ 
know  Cousin  Heuuy  will  like  cherries  ever  so  much, 
and  not  scold  a  bit  when  I  take  some  to  her." 

"  Then  come  on,"  cried  Mr.  Thomas,  relapsing  inU 
the  hearty  manner  she  liked  so  much ;  and  away  he 
went,  quite  briskly,  down  the  path,  with  his  yellow 
skirts  waving  in  the  wind,  and  Button  skipping  after 
him  in  great  glee. 

"They  actually  are  a-picking  cherries,  Miss,  up  in 
the  tree  like  a  couple  of  robins  a-chirpin'  and  laughin' 
as  gay  as  can  be,"  reported  Roxy,  from  her  peep-hole. 

"  Rip  off  the  rest  of  that  board,  then  I  can  see," 
whispered  Miss  Henuy,  quivering  with  interest  now  , 
for  she  had  heard  Mr.  Dover's  words,  and  her  wrath 
was  appeased  by  that  flattering  allusion  to  herself. 

Oft"  came  the  rest  of  the  board,  and  from  the  window, 
half  hidden  in  woodbine,  she  could  now  see  over  the 
bushes  into  the  next  garden.  The  peep-hole  com 
manded  the  tree,  and  she  watched  with  eager  eyes  the 
filling  of  the  basket  to  be  sent  her,  planning  the  while 
a  charming  note  of  thanks. 

"  Do  look,  Miss ;  they  are  resting  now,  and  she 's  on 
his  knee.  Ain't  it  a  pretty  picter?"  whispered  Roxy, 
unmindful  of  the  earwigs,  ants,  and  daddy-long-legs 


198  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

promenading  over  her  as  she  crouched  in  her  mouldy 
coriK-r,  intent  on  the  view  beyond. 

"  Very  pretty  !  He  lost  several  children  in  India 
and  I  suppose  Rosy  reminds  him  of  them.  Ah,  poor 
man  !  I  can  sympathize  with  him,  for  /  too  have  loved 
and  lost,"  sighed  Miss  Henny,  pensively  surveying  the 
group  on  the  rustic  seat. 

They  were  playing  cherry-bob  ;  and  tho  child's  laugh 
ter  made  pleasant  music  in  the  usually  quiet  place, 
while  the  man's  face  lost  its  sad,  stern  look,  and  was 
both  gay  and  tender,  as  he  held  the  little  creature  close, 
and  popped  the  ripe  fruit  into  the  red,  laughing 
mouth. 

As  the  last  sweet  morsel  disappeared  Rosy  said,  with 
a  long  breath  of  perfect  content,  — 

"  It 's  almost  as  good  as  having  Papa  to  play  with. 
I  do  hope  the  cousins  will  let  me  come  again  !  If  they 
don't,  I  think  my  heart  will  break,  'cause  I  get  so 
homesick  over  there,  and  have  so  many  trials,  and  no 
one  but  Cousin  Penny  ever  cuddles  me." 

11  Bless  her  heart!  We  '11  send  her  some  flowers  for 
that.  You  tell  her  that  Mrs.  Dover  is  poorly,  and 
would  like  very  much  to  see  her ;  and  so  would  Mr. 
Thomas,  who  enjoys  her  little  niece  immensely.  Can 
you  remember  that  1 " 

"  Every  word  !  She  is  very  nice  to  me,  and  I  love 
her,  and  I  guess  she  will  be  glad  to  come.  She  likes 
moss-roses,  and  so  do  I,"  added  the  unblushing  little 
beggar,  as  Mr.  Dover  took  out  his  knife  and  began  to 
make  the  bouquet  which  was  to  be  Miss  Penny's 
bribe.  He  could  not  bear  to  give  up  his  little  play- 


LITTLE   BUTTOX-ROSE.  199 

mate,  and  was  quite  ready  to  try  again,  with  this 
persistent  and  charming  ally  to  help  him  heal  the 
breach. 

"  Shall  you  send  anything  to  Cis  ?  You  need  n't 
mind  about  it,  'cause  she  can't  keep  me  at  home,  but 
it  might  please  her,  and  make  her  stop  rapping  my 
head  with  her  thimble  when  I  ask  questions,  and  slap 
ping  my  fingers  when  I  touch  any  of  her  pretty 
things,"  suggested  Button,  as  the  flowers  were  added 
to  the  fruit,  making  a  fine  display. 

"  I  never  send  presents  to  young  ladies,"  said  Mr. 
Thomas  shortly,  adding,  with  both  hands  out,  and  his 
most  inviting  smile,  "  But  I  always  kiss  nice  little 
girls  if  they  will  allow  me  ]  " 

Button  threw  both  arms  about  his  neck  and  gave 
him  a  shower  of  grateful  kisses,  which  were  sweeter  to 
the  lonely  old  man  than  all  the  cherries  that  ever 
grew,  or  the  finest  flowers  in  his  garden.  Then  Miss 
Rosamond  proudly  marched  home,  finding  no  trace  of 
the  watchers,  for  both  had  fled  while  the  "  cuddling  " 
went  on.  Roxy  was  soberly  setting  the  dinner-table, 
and  Miss  Henny  in  the  parlor  breathing  hard  be 
hind  a  newspaper.  Miss  Penny  and  Cicely  were 
spending  the  day  out,  so  the  roses  had  to  wait ;  but 
the  basket  was  most  graciously  received,  also  the 
carefully  delivered  message,  and  the  child's  heart  was 
rejoiced  by  free  permission  to  go  and  see  "  our  kind 
neighbor  now  and  then,  if  Sister  does  not  object." 

Rosy  was  in  great  spirits,  and  prattled  away  as  they 
sat  at  dinner,  emboldened  by  the  lady's  unusual  amia 
bility  to  ask  all  sorts  of  questions,  some  of  which 


200  A    GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

proved  rather  embarrassing  to  Miss  Henny,  and  very 
amusing  to  Roxy,  listening  in  the  china-closet. 

"  I  wish  /  had  'spepsia,"  was  the  abrupt  remark  of 
the  small  person  as  her  plate  of  drumsticks  was  re 
moved  and  the  pudding  appeared,  accompanied  by  the 
cherries. 

**  Why,  dear  ?  "  asked  Miss  Henny,  busily  arranging 
the  small  dish  of  delicate  tidbits,  which  left  little  but 
the  skeleton  of  the  roast  fowl  for  the  kitchen. 

"  Then  I  could  have  the  nicest  bits  of  chicken,  and 
heaps  of  sauce  on  my  pudding,  and  the  butteryest 
slices  of  toast,  and  all  the  cream  for  my  tea,  as  you 
do.  It  is  n't  a  very  bad  pain,  is  it  1 "  asked  Rosy,  in 
such  perfect  good  faith  that  Miss  Henny's  sudden  flush 
and  Roxy's  hasty  dive  into  the  closet  never  suggested 
to  her  that  this  innocent  speech  was  bringing  the 
old  lady's  besetting  sin  to  light  in  the  most  open 
manner. 

"  Yes,  child,  it  is  very  bad,  and  you  may  thank  your 
stars  that  I  try  to  keep  you  from  it  by  feeding  you  on 
plain  food.  At  my  age,  and  suffering  as  I  do,  the  best 
of  everything  is  needed  to  keep  up  my  strength,"  said 
Miss  Henny,  tartly.  But  the  largest  plate  of  pudding, 
with  "  heaps  of  sauce,"  went  to  the  child  this  day,  and 
when  the  fruit  was  served,  an  unusually  small  portion 
was  put  away  for  the  invalid,  who  was  obliged  to  sus 
tain  nature  with  frequent  lunches  through  the  day  and 
evening. 

"  I  'm  s'prised  that  you  suffer  much,  Cousin  Henny. 
How  brave  you  must  be,  not  to  cry  about  it,  and  go 
round  in  horrid  pain,  as  you  do,  and  dress  so  nicely, 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  201 

and  see  people,  and  work  'broidering,  and,  make  calls ! 
I  hope  I  shall  be  brave  if  I  ever  do  have  'spepsia ; 
but  I  guess  I  shan't,  you  take  such  care  to  give  me 
small  pieces  every  time." 

With  which  cheerful  remark  Rosy  closed  that  part 
of  the  conversation  and  returned  to  the  delights  of 
her  new  friend's  garden.  But  from  that  day,  among 
other  changes  which  began  about  this  time,  the  child's 
cup  and  plate  were  well  filled,  and  the  dread  of  adding 
to  her  own  sufferings  seemed  to  curb  the  dyspeptic's 
voracious  appetite.  "  A  cheild  was  arnang  them  takiu' 
notes,"  and  every  one  involuntarily  dreaded  those  clear 
eyes  and  that  frank  tongue,  so  innocently  observing 
and  criticising  all  that  went  on.  Cicely  had  already 
been  reminded  of  a  neglected  duty  by  Rosy's  reading 
to  Miss  Penny,  and  tried  to  be  more  faithful  in  that, 
as  in  other  services  which  she  owed  the  old  lady.  So 
the  little  missionary  was  evidently  getting  on,  though 
quite  unconscious  of  her  work  at  home,  so  absorbed 
was  she  in  her  foreign  mission  ;  for,  like  many  another 
missionary,  the  savage  over  the  way  was  more  inter 
esting  than  the  selfish,  slothful,  or  neglected  souls  at 
home. 

Miss  Penny  was  charmed  with  her  flowers  and  the 
friendly  message  sent  her,  and  to  Rosy's  great  delight 
went  next  day,  in  best  bonnet  and  gown,  to  make  a 
call  upon  the  old  lady  "  who  was  poorly,"  for  that  ap 
peal  could  not  be  resisted.  Rosy  also,  in  honor  of  the 
great  occasion,  wore  her  best  hat,  and  a  white  frock  so 
stiff  that  she  looked  like  a  little  opera  dancer  as  the 
long  black  legs  skipped  along  the  street ;  for  this  was 


202  A   OAKLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

far  too  grand  a  visit  to  be  paid  through  a  hole  in 
the  wall. 

In  the  basket  were  certain  delicacies  for  the  old 
lady,  and  a  card  had  been  prepared,  with  the  names 
of  Miss  Carey  and  Miss  Rosamond  Carey  beautifully 
written  on  it  by  Cis,  who  was  dying  to  go,  but  dared 
not  after  Rosy  had  told  her  Mr.  Dover's  remark 
about  young  ladies. 

As  the  procession  of  two  paused  at  the  door,  both 
the  young  and  the  old  heart  fluttered  a  little,  for  this 
was  the  first  decided  step  toward  reconciliation,  and 
any  check  might  spoil  it  all.  The  maid  stared,  but 
civilly  led  these  unexpected  guests  in  and  departed 
with  the  card.  Miss  Penny  settled  herself  in  a  large 
chair  and  looked  about  with  pensive  interest  at  the 
familiar  room.  But  Rosy  made  a  bee-line  for  the  great 
tiger-skin,  and  regardless  of  her  clean  frock  lay  down 
on  it  to  examine  the  head,  which  glared  at  her  with 
yellow  eyes,  showing  all  its  sharp  teeth  in  the  most 
delightfully  natural  manner. 

Mr.  Dover  came  in  with  a  formal  bow,  but  Miss 
Penny  put  out  both  hands,  and  said  in  her  sweet  old 
voice,  — 

"  Let  ns  be  friends  again  for  the  sake  of  your 
mother." 

That  settled  the  matter  at  once,  and  Mr.  Thomas 
was  so  eager  to  do  his  part  that  he  not  only  shook 
the  hands  heartily,  but  kept  them  in  his  as  he  said 
like  an  honest  man,  — 

"  My  dear  neighbor,  I  beg  your  pardon  !  /  was 
wrong,  but  I  'm  not  too  proud  to  own  it  and  say  I  'in 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  203 

glad  to  let  by-gones  be  by-gones  for  the  sake  of  all. 
Now  come  and  see  my  mother;  she  is  longing  for 
you." 

What  went  on  in  the  next  room  Rosy  never  knew 
or  cared,  for  Mr.  Thomas  soon  returned,  and  amused 
her  so  well,  showing  his  treasures,  that  she  forgot 
where  she  was  till  the  maid  came  to  say  tea  was 
ready. 

"  Are  we  going  to  stay  1 "  cried  the  little  girl,  beam 
ing  from  under  a  Feejee  crown  of  feathers,  which  pro 
duced  as  comical  an  effect  upon  her  curly  head  as  did 
the  collar  of  shark's  teeth  round  her  plump  neck  or 
the  great  Japanese  war-fan  in  her  hand. 

"  Yes,  we  have  tea  at  five ;  come  and  turn  it  out. 
I  've  ordered  the  little  cups  esperially  for  you,"  said 
her  host,  as  he  changed  the  small  Amazon  to  a  pretty 
child  again  and  led  her  away  to  preside  at  the  table, 
where  the  quaint  china  and  silver,  and  the  dainty  cake 
and  bread  and  butter  proved  much  more  attractive 
than  the  little  old  lady  in  a  big  cap  >rho  patted  her 
head  and  smiled  at  her. 

Never  had  Rosy  enjoyed  such  a  delicious  meal ;  for 
the  rapture  of  pouring  real  tea  out  of  a  pot  shaped 
like  a  silver  melon,  into  cups  as  thin  as  egg-shells,  and 
putting  in  sugar  with  tongs  like  claws,  not  to  mention 
much  thick  cream,  also  spicy,  plummy  cakes  that 
melted  in  one's  mouth,  was  too  great  for  words. 

The  little  maid  was  so  absorbed  in  her  new  duties 
that  she  never  minded  what  the  elders  talked  about, 
till  the  plates  were  empty,  the  pot  ran  dry,  and  no 
one  could  be  prevailed  on  to  have  any  more  tea.  Then 


204  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

she  leaned  back  in  her  chair  and  remarked  with  an 
air  of  calm  satisfaction,  as  she  looked  from  one  to  the 
other,  and  smiled  that  engaging  smile  of  hers,  — 

"  Is  n't  being  friends  a  great  deal  nicer  than  fighting 
and  throwing  cats  over  walls  and  calling  bad  names?" 

It  was  impossible  not  to  laugh,  and  that  cheerful 
sound  seemed  to  tune  every  one  to  the  sweetest  har 
mony,  while  the  little  peacemaker  was  passed  round 
as  if  a  last  course  of  kisses  was  absolutely  necessary. 

Then  the  party  broke  up,  and  Mr.  Dover  escorted 
his  guests  to  their  owrn  gate,  to  the  great  amazement 
of  the  neighbors  and  the  very  visible  pride  of  Miss 
Button-Rose,  who  went  up  the  walk  with  her  head  as 
high  as  if  the  wreath  of  daisies  on  her  little  hat  had 
been  a  conqueror's  crown. 

Now  that  the  first  step  had  been  taken,  all  would 
have  gone  smoothly  if  Cicely,  offended  because  Mr. 
Thomas  took  no  notice  of  her,  had  not  put  it  into  Miss 
Henny's  head  that  as  the  original  quarrel  began  be 
tween  her  and  their  neighbor,  it  would  not  be  dignified 
to  give  in  till  Mr.  Dover  had  come  and  begged  pardon 
of  her  as  well  as  of  Miss  Penny.  This  suited  the  fool 
ish  old  lady,  who  never  could  forget  certain  plain 
words  spoken  in  the  heat  of  battle,  though  the  kindly 
ones  lately  heard  had  much  softened  her  heart  toward 
the  offender. 

"  No,  I  shall  not  forget  my  dignity  nor  humble  my 
self  by  going  over  there  to  apologize  as  Penelope  has. 
She  can  do  as  she  likes  ;  and  now  that  he  has  asked  to 
be  forgiven,  there  is  perhaps  no  harm  in  her  seeing  the 
old  ladv.  But  with  me  it  is  different,  /was  insulted, 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  205 

md  till  Thomas  Dover  coines  here  and  solemnly  asks 
niy  pardon  I  will  not  cross  his  threshold,  no  matter 
what  bribes  he  sends,"  said  Miss  Henny,  with  an  air 
of  heroic  firmness. 

But  it  did  cost  her  a  pang  when  her  sister  went 
every  now  and  then  to  take  tea  with  the  old  lady  and 
came  home  full  of  pleasant  news  ;  while  Rosy  prattled 
of  the  tine  things  she  saw,  the  nice  things  she  had  to 
eat,  and  never  failed  to  bring  some  gift  to  share,  or  to 
display  to  the  exiles  from  Paradise.  They  ate  the 
"  bribes,"  however,  as  they  called  the  fruit,  admired 
the  pretty  trinkets  and  toys,  and  longed  to  share  in 
the  mild  festivities  of  the  pleasant  house  over  the  way, 
but  stood  firm  in  spite  of  all  Rosy's  wiles,  till  some 
thing  unexpected  happened  to  touch  their  hearts, 
conquer  their  foolish  pride,  and  crown  the  little  peace 
maker's  efforts  with  success. 

One  August  afternoon  Cicely  was  discontentedly 
looking  over  her  small  store  of  ornaments  as  she  made 
ready  for  a  party.  She  loved  gayety,  and  went  about 
a  great  deal,  leaving  many  duties  undone,  or  asking 
the  little  girl  to  attend  to  them  for  her,  neglecting, 
however,  to  show  any  gratitude  for  these  small  ser 
vices  so  cheerfully  done. 

As  she  sat  tossing  over  her  boxes,  Button-Rose  came 
in  looking  tired  and  listless,  for  it  was  a  hot  day,  and 
she  had  been  out  twice  to  do  errands  for  Cicely,  be 
sides  trotting  busily  up  and  down  to  wait  on  the  old 
ladies  while  the  young  one  put  fresh  ribbons  on  her 
dress  and  curled  her  hair  for  the  evening. 

"Could  I  lie  on  your  sofa,  please,  Cis?     My  head 


206  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

aches,  and  my  legs  are  so  tired,"  said  little  Button, 
when  her  tap  had  been  answered  by  a  sharp  "  What 
do  you  want,  child  1 " 

"  No,  I  'm  going  to  lie  there  myself  and  have  a  nap 
as  soon  as  I  'm  done  here.  It 's  cooler  than  the  bed, 
and  I  must  be  fresh  for  to-night,"  said  Cicely,  too  intent 
on  her  own  affairs  to  see  how  used  up  Rosy  looked. 

"  Then  could  I  look  at  your  pretty  things  if  I  don't 
touch  'em  ? "  asked  the  child,  longing  to  peep  into  the 
interesting  boxes  scattered  on  the  table. 

"  No,  you  can't  !  I  'in  busy,  and  don't  want  you 
asking  questions  and  meddling.  Go  away  and  let  me 
alone." 

Cicely  spoke  crossly,  and  waved  her  hand  with  a 
warning  gesture,  thereby  upsetting  the  tray  which 
held  the  beads  of  the  necklace  she  had  decided  to 
wear  for  want  of  something  better. 

"  There,  now  see  what  you  've  done  !  Pick  up  every 
one,  and  be  quick,  for  I  'm  in  a  hurry." 

"  But  I  did  n't  touch  'em,"  began  poor  Button,  as 
she  crept  about  hunting  for  the  black  and  white  beads 
that  looked  like  very  ugly  marbles. 

"  Don't  talk ;  pick  them  up  and  then  scamper  ;  you 
are  always  in  mischief!"  scolded  Cis,  vexed  with  her 
self,  and  the  heat,  and  the  accident,  and  the  whole 
world  just  then. 

Rosy  said  no  more,  but  several  great  tears  dropped 
on  the  carpet  as  she  groped  in  corners,  under  the  bed, 
and  behind  the  chairs  for  the  runaways ;  and  when 
the  last  was  found  she  put  it  in  her  tyrant's  hand, 
saying,  with  a  wistful  look,  — 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  207 

"  I  'm  very  sorry  I  troubled  you.  Seems  to  me  if 
/  had  a  little  cousin,  I  'd  love  to  have  her  play  with 
my  things,  and  I  would  n't  be  cross  to  her.  Now  I  '11 
go  and  try  to  amoose  myself  with  Bella ;  she  is  always 
good  to  me." 

"  Run  along  then.  Thank  goodness  that  doll  came 
when  it  did,  for  I  'm  tired  of  '  amoosing '  small  girls  as 
well  as  old  ladies,"  said  Cib,  busy  with  her  beads,  yet 
sorry  she  had  been  so  petulant  with  patient  little  But 
ton,  who  seldom  reproached  her,  being  a  cheery  child, 
and  blessed  with  a  sweet  temper. 

Rosy  felt  too  languid  to  play ;  so  when  she  had  told 
Bella,  the  London  doll,  her  trials,  and  comforted 
herself  with  some  kisses  on  the  waxen  cheeks,  she 
roamed  away  to  the  summer-house,  which  was  cool 
and  quiet,  longing  for  some  one  to  caress  her;  for  the 
little  heart  was  homesick  and  the  little  head  ached 
badly. 

The  "  button-hole  "  had  been  made,  the  alley  swept 
out,  to  the  great  dismay  of  the  spiders,  earwigs,  and 
toads,  who  had  fled  to  quieter  quarters,  and  Rosy  had 
leave  to  go  and  come  when  she  liked  if  Mr.  Dover  did, 
not  object.  He  never  did  ;  and  it  was  her  greatest  de 
light  to  walk  in  the  pretty  garden  at  her  own  sweet 
will,  always  with  the  hope  of  meeting  its  kindly  owner, 
for  now  they  were  firm  friends.  She  had  been  too  busy 
for  a  run  there  that  dav ;  and  now,  as  she  peeped 
in.  it  looked  so  shady  and  inviting,  and  it  seemed  so 
natural  to  turn  to  her  dear  •'  missionary  man  "  for  en 
tertainment,  that  she  went  straight  up  to  his  study 
window  and  peeped  in. 


208  A   GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

He  too  seemed  out  of  sorts  that  hot  afternoon,  fur 
he  sat  leaning  his  head  on  both  hands  at  the  desk 
strewn  with  piles  of  old  letters.  Button-Rose's  tender 
heart  yearned  over  him  at  once,  and  stepping  quietly 
in  at  the  long  open  window  she  went  to  him,  saying 
in  her  tenderest  tone,  — 

"  Does  your  head  ache,  sir  1  Let  me  soft  it  as  I  do 
Papa's ;  he  says  that  always  makes  it  more  better. 
Please  let  me  1  I  'd  love  to  dearly." 

"  Ah,  my  darling,  I  wish  you  could.  But  the  pain 
is  in  my  heart,  and  nothing  will  ever  cure  it,"  sighed 
Mr.  Thomas,  as  he  drew  her  close  and  put  his 
wrinkled  yellow  cheek  to  her  soft  one,  which  looked 
more  like  a  damask  rose  than  usual. 

"  You  have  trials  too,  I  s'pose.  Mine  trouble  me 
to-day,  so  I  came  over  to  see  you.  Shall  I  go  away  1 " 
asked  Rosy  with  a  sigh  and  the  wistful  look  again. 

"  No,  stay,  and  we  will  comfort  each  other.  Tell 
me  your  troubles,  Button,  and  perhaps  I  can  help 
them,"  the  kind  old  gentleman  said  as  he  took  her  on 
his  knee  and  stroked  the  curly  head  with  a  paternal 
touch. 

So  Rosy  told  her  latest  grief,  and  never  saw  the 
smile  that  crept  about  the  lips  that  asked  in  a  tone  of 
deep  interest,  — 

"Well,  what  do  you  mean  to  do  to  that  unkind 
Cicely?" 

"  For  a  minute  I  wanted  to  slap  her  back  when 
she  tried  to  spat  my  hands.  Then  I  'membered  that 
Mamma  said  a  kiss  for  a  blow  was  a  good  thing,  so  I 
picked  up  the  beads  and  planned  to  do  it;  but  Cis 


LITTLE   BUTTON -ROSE.  209 

looked  so  cross  I  could  n't.  If  I  had  a  pretty  necklace 
1  'd  go  and  give  it  to  her,  and  then  maybe  she  'd  love 
me  better." 

"  My  dear  little  missionary,  you  shall  have  beads  to 
win  the  heart  of  your  heathen,  if  that  is  all  you  need. 
See  here ;  take  anything  you  like,  and  give  it  with  the 
kiss." 

As  he  spoke,  Mr.  Dover  pulled  open  a  drawer  in  the 
desk  and  displayed  a  delightful  collection  of  pretty, 
quaint,  and  curious  trinkets  picked  up  in  foreign  lands, 
and  kept  for  keepsakes,  since  no  little  daughters  of 
his  own  lived  to  wear  them. 

"  How  perf 'ly  dorgeous  !  "  cried  Rosy,  who  often  fell 
Into  baby  talk  when  excited ;  and  plunging  in  her 
hands,  she  revelled  for  some,  minutes  in  sandal-wood 
cases,  carved  ivory  fans,  silver  bangles,  barbaric 
brooches,  and  necklaces  of  coral,  shells,  amber,  and 
golden  coins,  that  jingled  musically. 

"  What  shall  I  take  for  her?"  cried  the  little  maid, 
bewildered  by  such  a  mine  of  wealth.  "  You  pick  out 
one,  Mr.  Thomas,  that  will  please  her  so  much,  'cause 
you  never  send  her  anything,  and  she  don't  like  it," 
said  Rosy,  fearing  that  her  own  taste  was  not  to  be 
trusted,  as  she  liked  the  shells  and  shark's  teeth  orna 
ments  best. 

"  No,  I  '11  give  you  one,  and  you  shall  do  as  you  like 
about  giving  it  to  her.  This,  now,  is  really  valuable 
and  pretty,  and  any  young  lady  would  like  to  wear  it. 
It  makes  me  think  of  you,  my  Button,  for  it  is  like 
sunshine,  and  the  word  cut  on  the  little  heart  means 
peace." 

14 


210  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

Mr.  Dover  held  up  a  striug  of  amber  beads  with 
its  carved  amulet,  and  swung  it  to  and  fro  where  the 
light  shone  through  it  till  each  bead  looked  like  a 
drop  of  golden  wine. 

"  Yes,  that  is  lovely,  and  it  smells  nice,  too.  She 
will  be  so  s'prised  and  pleased ;  I  '11  go  and  take  it  to 
her  right  away,"  cried  Rosy,  forgetting  to  ask  anything 
for  herself,  in  her  delight  at  this  fine  gift  for  Cis. 

But  as  she  lifted  her  head  after  he  had  fastened  the 
clasp  about  her  neck,  something  in  his  face  recalled 
the  look  it  wore  when  she  first  came  in,  and  putting 
both  hands  upon  his  shoulders,  she  said  in  her  sweet 
little  way,  — 

"  You  've  made  my  troubles  go  away,  can't  I  make 
yours  ?  You  are  so  kind  to  me,  I  'd  love  to  help  you 
if  I  could." 

"  You  do,  my  child,  more  than  you  know  ;  for  when 
I  get  you  in  my  arms  it  seems  as  if  one  of  my  poor 
babies  had  come  back  to  me,  and  for  a  minute  I  forget 
the  three  little  graves  far  away  in  India." 

"  Three  !  "  cried  Button,  like  a  sad,  soft  echo  ;  and 
she  clung  to  the  poor  man  as  if  trying  to  fill  the 
empty  arms  with  the  love  and  pity  that  overflowed  the 
childish  soul  in  her  small  body. 

This  was  the  comfort  Mr.  Thomas  wanted,  and  for 
a  few  moments  he  just  cradled  her  on  his  hungry  heart, 
crooning  a  Hindostanee  lullaby,  while  a  few  slow  tears 
came  dropping  down  upon  the  yellow  head,  so  like 
those  hidden  for  years  under  the  Indian  flowers. 
Presently  he  seemed  to  come  back  from  the  happy 
past  to  which  the  old  letters  had  carried  him.  He 


Poor  Button  fell  asleep."  —  PAGE  211. 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  211 

wiped  his  eyes,  and  Rosy's  also,  with  the  big  purple 
silk  handkerchief,  and  pressing  some  very  grateful 
kisses  on  the  hot  cheeks,  said  cheerfully  again,  — 

"  God  bless  you,  child,  that 's  done  me  good  !  But 
don't  let  it  sadden  you,  dear ;  forget  all  about  it,  and 
tell  no  one  what  a  sentimental  old  fool  I  am." 

"  I  never  truly  will !  Only  when  you  feel  sorry 
about  the  poor  little  babies,  let  me  come  and  give  you 
cuddlings.  They  always  make  people  feel  more  better, 
and  I  love  'em,  and  don't  get  any  now  my  dear  people 
are  away." 

So  the  two  made  a  tender  little  plan  to  comfort  each 
other  when  hearts  were  heavy  with  longings  for  the 
absent,  and  parted  at  the  small  gate,  both  much 
cheered,  and  faster  friends  than  ever. 

Rosy  hastened  in  with  her  peace-offering,  forgetful 
now  of  headache  or  loneliness  as  she  sat  patiently  in 
the  wide  entry  window-seat  listening  till  some  sound 
in  Cicely's  room  should  show  that  she  was  awake. 
Before  that  happened,  however,  poor  Button  fell  asleep 
herself,  lulled  by  the  quiet  of  the  house,  —  for  every  one 
was  napping,  —  and  dreamed  that  Mr.  Dover  stood 
waving  a  rainbow  over  his  head,  while  several  Indian 
gods  and  three  little  girls  were  dancing  round  him, 
hand  in  hand,  to  the  tune  of  "  Ring  around  a  rosy." 

A  loud  yawn  roused  her,  and  there  was  Cis  peep 
ing  out  of  her  door  to  see  what  time  it  was  by  the  old- 
fashioned  clock  on  the  landing.  Up  scrambled  the 
child,  feeling  dizzy  and  heavy-eyed,  but  so  eager  to 
give  pleasure  that  she  lost  no  time  in  saying,  as  she 
swung  the  necklace  in  the  sunshine,  — 


212  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

"  See  !  this  is  for  yon,  if  you  like  it  more  better 
than  the  thunder-and-lightning  marbles,  as  Cousin 
Penny  calls  the  one  you  were  going  to  wear." 

"  How  lovely !  Where  did  you  get  it,  child  ?  "  cried 
Cis,  wide  awake  at  once,  as  she  ran  to  the  glass  to  try 
the  effect  of  the  new  ornament  on  her  white  neck. 

"  My  dear  Mr.  Thomas  gave  it  to  me ;  but  he  said  I 
could  give  it  away  if  I  liked,  and  I  want  you  to  have  it, 
'cause  it 's  ever  so  much  prettier  than  any  you  've  got." 

"  That 's  very  kind  of  you,  Chicken,  but  why  not 
keep  it  yourself]  You  like  nice  things  as  well  as  I 
do,"  said  Cicely,  much  impressed  by  the  value  of  the 
gift,  for  it  was  real  amber,  and  the  clasp  of  gold. 

"  Well,  I  've  talked  with  Mr.  Thomas  about  mission- 
arying  a  great  deal,  and  he  told  me  how  he  made  the 
savinges  good  by  giving  them  beads,  and  things  to  eat, 
and  being  patient  and  kind  to  them.  So  I  thought 
I  'd  play  be  a  missionary,  and  call  this  house  Africa, 
and  try  to  make  the  people  here  behave  more  better," 
answered  Rosy,  with  such  engaging  earnestness,  as  well 
as  frankness,  that  Cis  laughed,  and  exclaimed,  — 

"  You  impertinent  monkey,  to  call  us  heathen  and 
try  to  convert  us !  How  do  you  expect  to  do  it  ] " 

"  Oh,  I  'm  getting  on  pretty  well,  only  you  don't  con 
vert  as  quick  as  some  of  the  savinges  did.  I  '11  tell  you 
about  it ; "  and  Button  went  on  eagerly.  "  Cousin 
Penny  is  the  good  old  one,  but  rather  fussy  and  slow, 
so  I  'm  kind  and  patient,  and  now  she  loves  me  and  lets 
me  do  things  I  like.  She  is  my  best  one.  Cousin  Henny 
is  my  cannybel,  'cause  she  eats  so  much,  and  I  please 
her  by  bringing  nice  things  and  getting  her  cushions 


LITTLE   BUTTOX-UUSK. 

ready.  You  are  my  baddest  one,  who  is  cross  to  me, 
and  fights,  and  raps  my  head,  and  slaps  my  hands ;  so 
I  thought  some  beads  would  be  nice  for  you,  and  I 
bringed  these  beauties.  Mr.  Thomas  gave  'em  to  me 
when  I  told  him  my  trials." 

Cicely  looked  angry,  amused,  and  ashamed,  as  she 
listened  to  the  funny  yet  rather  pathetic  little  play 
with  which  the  lonely  child  had  tried  to  cheer  herself 
and  win  the  hearts  of  those  about  her.  She  had  the 
grace  to  blush,  and  offer  back  the  necklace,  saying  in 
a  self-reproachful  tone,  — 

"  Keep  your  beads,  little  missionary,  I  '11  be  con 
verted  without  them,  and  try  to  be  kinder  to  you.  I 
am  a  selfish  wretch,  but  you  shall  play  be  my  little 
sister,  and  not  have  to  go  to  strangers  for  comfort  in 
your  trials  any  more.  Come,  kiss  me,  dear,  and  we  '11 
begin  now." 

Rosy  was  in  her  arms  at  once,  and  clung  there,  say 
ing  with  a  face  all  smiles,  — 

"  That 's  what  I  wanted  !  I  thought  I  'd  make  a  good 
savinge  of  you  if  I  tried  very  hard.  Please  be  kind  to 
me  just  till  Mamma  comes  back,  and  I  '11  be  the  best 
little  sister  that  ever  was." 

"Why  didn't  you  tell  me  all  about  it  before]" 
asked  Cicely,  smoothing  the  tired  head  on  her  shoul 
der  with  a  new  gentleness ;  for  this  last  innocent  con 
fession  had  touched  her  heart  as  well  as  her 
conscience. 

"  Yon  never  seemed  to  care  about  my  plays,  and  al 
ways  said,  '  Don't  chatter,  child ;  run  away  and  take 
care  of  yourself.'  So  I  did  ;  but  it  was  pretty  dull, 


214  A   GARLAND   FOR    SIRLS. 

with  only  Tabby  to  tell  secrets  to  and  Bella  to  kiss. 
Mr.  Thomas  said  people  over  here  did  n't  like  children 
very  well,  and  I  found  they  did  n't.  He  does,  dearly, 
so  I  went  to  him ;  but  I  like  you  now,  you  are  so  soft 
and  kind  to  me." 

"  How  hot  your  cheeks  are  !  Come  and  let  me  cool 
them,  and  brush  your  hair  for  tea,"  said  Cis,  as  she 
touched  the  child's  feverish  skin,  and  saw  how  heavy 
her  eyes  were. 

"  I  'm  all  burning  up,  and  my  head  is  so  funny.  I 
don't  want  any  tea.  I  want  to  lie  on  your  sofa  and  go 
to  sleep  again.  Can  1 1 "  asked  Rosy,  with  a  dizzy  look 
about  the  room,  and  a  shiver  at  the  idea  of  eating. 

"  Yes,  dear,  I  '11  put  on  your  little  wrapper,  and 
make  you  all  comfortable,  and  bring  you  some  ice- 
water,  for  your  lips  are  very  dry." 

As  she  spoke,  Cicely  bustled  about  the  room,  and 
soon  had  Rosy  nicely  settled  with  her  best  cologne- 
bottle  and  a  fan ;  then  she  hastened  down  to  report 
that  something  was  wrong,  with  a  fear  in  her  own 
heart  that  if  any  harm  did  come  to  the  child  it  would 
be  her  fault.  Some  days  before  Cicely  had  sent 
Button-Rose  with  a  note  to  a  friend's  house  where  she 
knew  some  of  the  younger  children  were  ill.  Since 
then  she  had  heard  that  it  was  scarlet  fever;  but 
though  Rosy  had  waited  some  time  for  an  answer  to 
the  note,  and  seen  one  of  the  invalids,  Cis  had  never 
mentioned  the  fact,  being  ashamed  to  confess  her 
carelessness,  hoping  no  harm  was  done.  Now  she  felt 
that  it  had  come,  and  went  to  tell  gentle  Cousin  Penny 
with  tears  of  vain  regret. 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  215 

Groat  was  the  lamentation  when  the  doctor,  who 
was  sent  for  in  hot  haste,  pronounced  it  scarlet  fever; 
and  deep  was  the  self-reproach  of  the  two  older  women 
for  their  blindness  in  not  before  remarking  the  languid 
air  and  want  of  appetite  in  the  child.  But  Cicely 
was  full  of  remorse  ;  for  every  quick  word,  every  rap  of 
the  hateful  thimble,  every  service  accepted  without 
thanks,  weighed  heavily  on  her  conscience  now,  as  such 
things  have  an  inconvenient  way  of  doing  when  it  is 
too  late  to  undo  them.  Every  one  was  devoted  to  the 
child,  even  lazy  Miss  Henny  gave  up  her  naps  to  sit 
by  her  at  all  hours,  Miss  Penny  hovered  over  the  lit 
tle  bed  like  a  grandmother,  and  Cicely  refused  to  think 
of  pleasure  till  the  danger  was  over. 

For  soon  Button-Rose  was  very  ill,  and  the  old 
house  haunted  by  the  dreadful  fear  that  death  would 
rob  them  of  the  little  creature  who  grew  so  precious 
when  the  thought  of  losing  her  made  their  hearts 
stand  still.  How  could  they  live  without  the  sound 
of  that  sweet  voice  chirping  about  the  house,  the  busy 
feet  tripping  up  and  down,  the  willing  hands  trying  to 
help,  the  sunny  face  smiling  at  every  one,  and  going 
away  into  corners  to  hide  the  tears  that  sometimes 
came  to  dim  its  brightness  1  What  would  comfort  the 
absent  mother  for  such  a  loss  as  this,  and  how  could 
they  answer  to  the  father  for  the  carelessness  that 
risked  the  child's  life  for  a  girl's  errand  ]  No  one  dared 
to  think,  and  all  prayed  heartily  for  Rosy's  life,  as 
they  watched  and  waited  by  the  little  bed  where  she 
lay  so  patiently,  till  the  fever  grew  high  and  she  be 
gan  to  babble  about  many  things.  Her  childish  trials 


216  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

were  all  told,  her  longings  for  Mamma,  whose  place 
no  one  could  fill,  her  quaint  little  criticisms  upon  those 
about  her,  and  her  plans  for  making  peace.  These 
innocent  revelations  caused  many  tears,  and  wrought 
some  changes  in  those  who  heard  ;  for  Miss  Penny 
quite  forgot  her  infirmities  to  live  in  the  sick-room 
as  the  most  experienced  nurse  and  tenderest  watcher. 
Miss  Henny  cooked  her  daintiest  gruel,  brewed  her 
coolest  drinks,  and  lost  many  pounds  in  weight  by 
her  indefatigable  trotting  up  and  down  to  minister 
to  the  invalid's  least  caprice.  Cicely  wras  kept  away 
for  fear  of  infection,  but  her  penance  was  to  wander 
about  the  great  house,  more  silent  than  ever  now,  to 
answer  the  inquiries  and  listen  to  the  sad  forebod 
ings  of  the  neighbors,  who  came  to  offer  help  and  sym 
pathy  ;  for  all  loved  little  Button-Rose,  and  grieved  to 
think  of  any  blight  falling  on  the  pretty  blossom.  To 
wile  away  the  long  hours,  Cicely  fell  to  dusting  the 
empty  rooms,  setting  closets  and  drawers  to  rights, 
and  keeping  all  fresh  and  clean,  to  the  great  relief  of 
the  old  cousins,  who  felt  that  everything  would  go  to 
destruction  in  their  absence.  She  read  and  sewed 
now,  having  no  heart  for  jaunting  about;  and  as  she 
made  the  long  neglected  white  pinafores,  for  Rosy, 
she  thought  much  of  the  little  girl  who  might  never 
live  to  wear  them. 

Meantime  the  fever  took  its  course,  and  came  at 
last  to  the  fateful  day  when  a  few  hours  would  settle 
the  question  of  life  or  death.  The  hot  flush  died  out 
of  the  cheeks  that  had  lost  their  soft  roundness  now, 
the  lips  were  parched,  the  half-shut  eyes  looked  like 


LITTLE   BUTTON-ROSE.  217 

sick  violets,  and  all  the  pretty  curls  were  tangled  on 
the  pillow.  Rosy  no  longer  sung  to  Bella,  talked  of 
"  three  dear  little  girls  "  and  Mr.  Thomas,  tigers  and 
bangles,  Cis  and  necklaces,  hens  and  gates.  She 
ceased  to  call  for  Mamma,  asked  no  more  why  her 
"  missionary  man  "  never  came,  and  took  no  notice  of 
the  anxious  old  faces  bending  over  her.  She  lay  in  a 
stupor,  and  the  doctor  held  the  little  wasted  hand,  and 
tried  to  see  the  face  of  his  watch  with  dim  eyes  as  he 
counted  the  faint  pulse,  whispering  solemnly,  — 

"  We  can  only  hope  and  wait  now.  Sleep  alone 
can  save  her." 

As  the  sisters  sat,  one  on  either  side  the  narrow  bed 
that  day,  and  Cicely  walked  restlessly  up  and  down 
the  long  hall  below,  where  both  doors  stood  open  to 
let  in  the  cool  evening  air,  as  the  sun  went  down,  a 
quick  but  quiet  step  came  up  the  steps,  and  Mr. 
Dover  walked  in  without  ringing.  He  had  been  away, 
and  coming  home  an  hour  ago,  heard  the  sad  news. 
Losing  not  a  moment,  he  hurried  to  ask  about  his 
little  Button,  and  his  face  showed  how  great  his  love 
and  fear  were,  as  he  said  in  a  broken  whisper,  — 

"  Will  she  live  1  My  mother  never  told  me  how 
serious  it  was,  or  I  should  have  returned  at  once." 

"We  hope  so,  sir,  but—  '  And  there  Cicely's  voice 
failed,  as  she  hid  her  face  and  sobbed. 

"My  dear  girl,  don't  give  way.  Keep  up  your 
heart,  hope,  pray,  will  that  the  darling  shall  live,  and 
that  may  do  some  good.  We  can't  let  her  go  !  we 
won't  let  her  go  !  Let  me  see  her ;  I  know  much  of 
fevers  far  worse  than  this,  and  might  be  able  to  suggest 


218  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

something,"  begged  Mr.  Dover,  throwing  down  his 
hat,  and  waving  an  immense  fan  with  such  an  air  of 
resolution  and  cheery  good-will  that  tired  Cis  felt 
comforted  at  once,  and  led  the  way  upstairs  entirely 
forgetting  the  great  feud,  as  he  did. 

At  the  threshold  of  the  door  he  paused,  till  the  girl 
had  whispered  his  name.  Miss  Penny,  always  a  gen 
tlewoman,  rose  at  once  and  went  to  meet  him,  but  Miss 
Henny  did  not  even  seem  to  see  him,  for  just  then,  as  if 
dimly  feeling  that  her  friend  was  near,  Rosy  stirred, 
and  gave  a  long  sigh. 

Silently  the  three  stood  and  looked  at  the  beloved 
little  creature  lying  there  in  the  mysterious  shadow 
of  death,  and  they  so  helpless  to  keep  her  if  the  hour 
for  departure  had  come. 

"  God  help  us  !  "  sighed  pious  Miss  Penny,  folding 
her  old  hands,  as  if  they  did  that  often  now. 

"  Drifting  away,  I  fear ;  "  and  Miss  Henny's  plump 
face  looked  almost  beautiful,  with  the  tears  on  it,  as 
she  leaned  nearer  to  listen  to  the  faint  breath  at  the 
child's  lips. 

"  No ;  we  will  keep  her,  please  the  Lord  !  If  we  can 
make  her  sleep  quietly  for  the  next  few  hours  she  is 
safe.  Let  me  try.  Fan  slowly  with  this,  Miss  Henri 
etta,  and  you,  dear  lady,  pray  that  the  precious  little 
life  may  be  given  us." 

As  he  spoke,  Mr.  Dover  gave  the  great  fan  to  Miss 
Henny,  took  the  small  cold  hands  in  his,  and  sitting 
on  the  bedside  held  them  close  in  his  large  warm 
ones,  as  if  trying  to  pour  life  and  strength  into  the 
frail  body,  as  his  eyes,  fixed  on  the  half-opened  ones, 


LITTLE   BUTTON- HOSE.  219 

seemed  to  call  back  the  innocent  soul  hovering  on  the 
threshold  of  its  prison,  like  the  butterfly  poised  upon 
the  chrysalis  before  it  soars  away. 

Miss  Penny  knelt  down  near  by,  and  laying  her 
white  head  on  the  other  pillow,  again  besought  God  to 
spare  this  treasure  to  the  father  and  mother  over  the 
sea.  How  long  they  remained  so  none  of  them  ever 
knew,  silent  and  motionless  but  for  the  slow  waving 
of  the  noiseless  fan,  which  went  to  and  fro  like  the 
wing  of  a  great  white  bird,  as  if  Miss  Henny's  stout 
arm  could  never  tire.  Miss  Penny  was  so  still  she 
seemed  to  be  asleep.  Mr.  Dover  never  stirred,  but 
grew  paler  as  the  minutes  passed ;  and  Cicely,  creeping 
now  and  then  to  look  in  and  steal  away,  saw  strange 
power  in  the  black  eyes  that  seemed  to  hold  the  flut 
tering  spirit  of  the  little  child  by  the  love  and  longing 
that  made  them  both  tender  and  commanding. 

A  level  ray  of  sunlight  stole  through  the  curtain  at 
last  and  turned  the  tangles  of  bright  hair  to  pure  gold. 
Miss  Henny  rose  to  shut  it  out,  and  as  if  her  move 
ment  broke  the  spell,  Rosy  took  a  long  full  breath, 
turned  on  the  pillow,  and  putting  one  hand  under  her 
cheek,  seemed  to  fall  asleep  as  naturally  as  she  used 
to  do  when  well.  Miss  Penny  looked  up,  touched  the 
child's  forehead,  and  whispered,  with  a  look  of  grati 
tude  as  bright  as  if  the  sunshine  had  touched  her 
also,  — 

"  It  is  moist !  this  is  real  sleep  !  Oh,  my  baby  !  oh, 
icy  baby  !  "  And  the  old  head  went  down  again  w>th  a 
stifled  sob,  for  her  experienced  eye  told  her  th>i£  the 
danger  was  passing  by  and  Rosy  would  live. 


220  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  The  prayers  of  the  righteous  avail  much,"  mur 
mured  Mr.  Dover,  turning  to  the  other  lady,  who  stood 
beside  her  sister  looking  down  at  the  little  figure  now 
lying  so  restfully  between  them. 

"  How  can  we  thank  you  1 "  she  whispered,  offering 
her  hand,  with  the  smile  which  had  once  made  her 
pretty,  and  still  touched  the  old  face  with  something 
better  than  beauty. 

Mr.  Dover  took  the  hand  and  answered,  with  an 
eloquent  look  at  the  child,  — 

"  Let  not  the  sun  go  down  upon  our  wrath.  For 
give  me  and  be  friends  again,  for  her  sake." 

"  I  will !  "  And  the  plump  hands  gave  the  thin  ones 
a  hearty  shake  as  the  great  feud  ended  forever 
over  the  bed  of  the  little  peacemaker  whose  child 
ish  play  had  turned  to  happy  earnest. 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL  AND  MAIDENHAIR. 

"  HERE  's  your  breakfast,  miss.  I  hope  it 's  right. 
Your  mother  showed  me  how  to  fix  it,  and  said  I  'd 
find  a  cup  up  here." 

"  Take  that  blue  one.  I  have  not  much  appetite, 
and  can't  eat  if  things  are  not  nice  and  pretty.  I  like 
the  flowers.  I  've  been  longing  for  some  ever  since  I 
saw  them  last  night." 

The  first  speaker  was  a  red-haired,  freckled-faced 
girl,  in  a  brown  calico  dress  and  white  apron,  with  a 
tray  in  her  hands  and  an  air  of  timid  hospitality  in 
her  manner ;  the  second  a  pale,  pretty  creature,  in  a 
white  wrapper  and  blue  net,  sitting  in  a  large  chair, 
looking  about  her  with  the  languid  interest  of  an  in 
valid  in  a  new  place.  Her  eyes  brightened  as  they 
fell  upon  a  glass  of  rosy  laurel  and  delicate  maiden 
hair  fern  that  stood  among  the  toast  and  eggs,  straw 
berries  and  cream,  on  the  tray. 

"  Our  laurel  is  jest  in  blow,  and  I  'm  real  glad  you 
come  in  time  to  see  it.  1 11  bring  you  a  lot,  as  soon 's 
ever  I  get  time  to  go  for  it." 

As  she  spoke,  the  plain  girl  replaced  the  ugly  crock 
ery  cup  and  saucer  with  the  pretty  china  ones  pointed 
out  to  her,  arranged  the  dishes,  and  waited  to  see  if 
anything  else  was  needed. 


222  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  What  is  your  name,  please  ? "  asked  the  pretty  girl, 
refreshing  herself  with  a  draught  of  new  milk. 

"  Rebecca.  Mother  thought  I  'd  better  wait  on  you  ; 
the  little  girls  are  so  noisy  and  apt  to  forget. 
Would  n't  you  like  a  piller  to  your  back  1  you  look  so 
kind  of  feeble  seems  as  if  you  wanted  to  be  propped 
up  a  mite.1' 

There  was  so  much  compassion  and  good-will  in  the 
face  and  voice,  that  Emily  accepted  the  offer,  and  let 
Rebecca  arrange  a  cushion  behind  her ;  then,  while  the 
one  ate  daintily,  and  the  other  stirred  about  an  inner 
room,  the  talk  went  on,  —  for  two  girls  are  seldom 
long  silent  when  together. 

"  I  think  the  air  is  going  to  suit  me,  for  I  slept  all 
night  and  never  woke  till  Mamma  had  been  up  ever 
so  long  and  got  things  all  nicely  settled,"  said  Emily, 
graciously,  when  the  fresh  strawberries  had  been  en 
joyed,  and  the  bread  and  butter  began  to  vanish. 

"  I  'm  real  glad  you  like  it ;  most  folks  do,  if  they 
don't  mind  it  being  plain  and  quiet  up  here.  It's 
gayer  down  at  the  hotel,  but  the  air  ain't  half  so  good, 
and  delicate  folks  generally  like  our  old  place  best," 
answered  Becky,  as  she  tossed  over  a  mattress  and 
shook  out  the  sheets  with  a  brisk,  capable  air  pleasant 
to  see. 

"  1  wanted  to  go  to  the  hotel,  but  the  doctor  said  it 
would  be  too  noisy  for  me,  so  Mamma  was  glad  to  find 
rooms  here.  I  did  n't  think  a  farm-house  could  be  so 
pleasant.  That  view  is  perfectly  splendid ! "  and 
Emily  sat  up  to  gaze  delightedly  out  of  the  window, 
below  which  spread  the  wide  intervale,  through  which 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL  AND   MAIDENHAIR.        223 

the  river  ran  with  hay-fields  on  either  side,  while 
along  the  green  slopes  of  the  hills  lay  farm-houses 
with  garden  plots,  and  big  barns  waiting  for  the  har 
vest  ;  and  beyond,  the  rocky,  wooded  pastures  dotted 
with  cattle  and  musical  with  cow -bells,  brooks,  and 
birds. 

A  balmy  wind  kissed  a  little  color  into  the  pale 
cheeks,  the  listless  eyes  brightened  as  they  looked, 
and  the  fretful  lines  vanished  from  lips  that  smiled 
involuntarily  at  the  sweet  welcome  Nature  gave  the 
city  child  come  to  rest  and  play  and  grow  gay  and 
rosy  in  her  green  lap. 

Becky  watched  her  with  interest,  and  was  glad  to 
see  how  soon  the  new-comer  felt  the  charm  of  the 
place,  for  the  girl  loved  her  mountain  home,  and 
thought  the  old  farm-house  the  loveliest  spot  in  the 
world. 

"  When  you  get  stronger  I  can  show  you  lots  of 
nice  views  round  here.  There 's  a  woodsy  place  behind 
the  house  that 's  just  lovely.  Down  by  the  laurel 
bushes  is  my  favorite  spot,  and  among  the  rocks  is  a 
cave  where  I  keep  things  handy  when  I  get  a  resting- 
spell  now  and  then,  and  want  to  be  quiet.  Can't  get 
much  at  home,  when  there  's  boarders  and  five  children 
round  in  vacation  time." 

Becky  laughed  as  she  spoke,  and  there  was  a  sweet 
motherly  look  in  her  plain  face,  as  she  glanced  at  the 
three  little  red  heads  bobbing  about  the  door-yard  be 
low,  where  hens  cackled,  a  pet  lamb  fed,  and  the  old 
white  dog  lay  blinking  in  the  sun. 

"  I    like    children ;    we   have   none    at   home,    and 


224  A   GARLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

Mamma  makes  such  a  baby  of  me  T  'm  almost  ashamed 
sometimes.  I  want  her  to  have  a  good  rest  now,  for 
she  has  taken  care  of  me  all  winter  and  needs  it.  You 
shall  be  my  nurse,  if  I  need  one  ;  but  I  hope  to  be  so 
well  soon  that  I  can  see  to  myself.  It 's  so  tiresome 
to  be  ill  ! "  and  Emily  sighed  as  she  leaned  back 
among  her  pillows,  with  a  glance  at  the  little  glass 
which  showed  her  a  thin  face  and  shorn  head. 

"  It  must  be  !  I  never  was  sick,  but  I  have  taken 
care  of  sick  folks,  and  have  a  sight  of  sympathy  for 
'em.  Mother  says  I  make  a  pretty  good  nurse,  being 
strong  and  quiet,"  answered  Becky,  plumping  up  pil 
lows  and  folding  towels  with  a  gentle  despatch  which 
was  very  grateful  to  the  invalid,  who  had  dreaded  a 
noisy,  awkward  serving-maid. 

"  Never  ill !  how  nice  that  must  be  !  I  'm  always 
having  colds  and  headaches,  and  fusses  of  some  kind. 
What  do  you  do  to  keep  well,  Rebecca  1 "  asked  Emily, 
watching  her  with  interest,  as  she  came  in  to  remove  the 
tray. 

"  Nothing  but  work ;  I  have  n't  time  to  be  sick,  and 
when  I  'm  tuckered  out,  I  go  and  rest  over  yonder. 
Then  I  'm  all  right,  and  buckle  to  again,  as  smart  as 
ever ; "  and  every  freckle  in  Becky's  rosy  face  seemed 
to  shine  with  cheerful  strength  and  courage. 

"  I  'm  '  tuckered  out '  doing  nothing,"  said  Emily, 
amused  with  the  new  expression,  and  eager  to  try  a 
remedy  which  showed  such  fine  results  in  this  case. 
"  I  shall  visit  your  pet  places  and  do  a  little  work  as 
soon  as  I  am  able,  and  see  if  it  won't  set  me  up.  Now 
I  can  only  dawdle,  doze,  and  read  a  little.  Will  you 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL   AND    MAIDENHAIR.        225 

please   put   those  books  here  on    the  table  ]     I  shall 
want  them  by-and-by." 

Emily  pointed  to  a  pile  of  blue  and  gold  volumes 
lying  on  a  trunk,  and  Becky  dusted  her  hands  as  she 
took  them  up  with  an  air  of  reverence,  for  she  read  on 
the  backs  of  the  volumes  names  which  made  her  eyes 
sparkle. 

"  Do  you  care  for  poetry  1 "  asked  Emily,  surprised 
at  the  girl's  look  and  manner. 

"  Guess  I  do !  don't  get  much  except  the  pieces  I 
cut  out  of  papers,  but  I  love  'em,  and  stick  'em  in  an 
old  ledger,  and  keep  it  down  in  my  cubby  among  the 
rocks.  I  do  love  that  man's  pieces.  They  seem  to  go 
right  to  the  spot  somehow ;"  and  Becky  smiled  at  the 
name  of  Whittier  as  if  the  sweetest  of  our  poets  was  a 
dear  old  friend  of  hers. 

"  I  like  Tennyson  better.  Do  you  know  him  1 " 
asked  Emily,  with  a  superior  air,  for  the  idea  of  this 
farmer's  daughter  knowing  anything  about  poetry 
amused  her. 

"  Oh  yes,  I  've  got  a  number  of  his  pieces  in  my 
book,  and  I  'm  fond  of  'em.  But  this  man  makes 
things  so  kind  of  true  and  natural  I  feel  at  home  with 
him.  And  this  one  I  've  longed  to  read,  though  I 
guess  I  can't  understand  much  of  it.  His  *  Bumble 
Bee'  was  just  lovely;  with  the  grass  and  columbines 
and  the  yellow  breeches  of  the  bee.  I  'm  never  tired 
of  that; "and Becky's  face  woke  up  into  something  like 
beauty  as  she  glanced  hungrily  at  the  Emerson  while 
she  dusted  the  delicate  cover  that  hid  the  treasures 
she  coveted. 

15 


226  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

"  I  don't  care  much  for  him,  bat  Mamma  does.  I 
like  romantic  poems,  and  ballads,  and  songs ;  don't 
like  descriptions  of  clouds,  aud  fields,  and  bees,  and 
farmers,"  said  Emily,  showing  plainly  that  even  Emer 
son's  simplest  poems  were  far  above  her  comprehen 
sion  as  yet,  because  she  loved  sentiment  more  than 
Nature. 

"  I  do,  because  I  know  'em  better  than  love  and 
the  romantic  stuff  most  poetry  tells  about.  But  I 
don't  pretend  to  judge,  I  'm  glad  of  anything  I  can 
get.  Now  if  you  don't  want  me  I  '11  pick  up  my 
dishes  and  go  to  work." 

With  that  Becky  went  away,  leaving  Emily  to  rest 
and  dream  with  her  eyes  on  the  landscape  which  was 
giving  her  better  poetry  than  any  her  books  held. 
She  told  her  mother  about  the  odd  girl,  and  was  sure 
she  would  be  amusing  if  she  did  not  forget  her  place 
and  try  to  be  friends. 

"  She  is  a  good  creature,  my  dear,  her  mother's  main 
stay,  and  works  beyond  her  strength,  I  am  sure.  Be 
kind  to  the  poor  girl,  and  put  a  little  pleasure  into  her 
life  if  you  can,"  answered  Mrs.  Spenser,  as  she  moved 
about,  settling  comforts  and  luxuries  for  her  invalid. 

"  I  shall  have  to  talk  to  her,  as  there  is  no  other 
person  of  my  age  in  the  house.  How  are  the  school 
marms?  shall  you  get  on  with  them,  Mammal  It 
will  be  so  lonely  here  for  us  both,  if  we  don't  make 
friends  with  some  one." 

"  Most  intelligent  and  amiable  women  all  three,  and 
we  shall  have  pleasant  times  together,  I  am  sure.  You 
may  safely  cultivate  Becky ;  Mrs.  Taylor  told  me  she 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL  AND   MAIDENHAIR.        227 

was  a  remarkably  bright  girl,  though  she  may  not 
look  it," 

"  Well,  I  '11  see.  But  I  do  hate  freckles  and  big 
red  hands,  and  round  shoulders.  She  can't  help  it,  I 
suppose,  but  ugly  things  fret  me." 

"  Remember  that  she  has  no  time  to  be  pretty,  and 
be  glad  she  is  so  neat  and  willing.  Shall  we  read, 
dear]  I 'm  ready  now." 

Emily  consented,  and  listened  for  an  hour  or  two 
while  the  pleasant  voice  beside  her  conjured  away  all 
her  vapors  with  some  of  Mrs.  Ewing's  charming  tales. 

"The  grass  is  dry  now,  and  I  want  to  stroll  on  that 
green  lawn  before  lunch.  You  rest,  Mamma  dear,  and 
let  me  make  discoveries  all  alone,"  proposed  Emily, 
when  the  sun  shone  warmly,  and  the  instinct  of  all 
young  creatures  for  air  and  motion  called  her  out. 

So,  with  her  hat  and  wrap,  and  book  and  parasol, 
she  set  forth  to  explore  the  new  land  in  which  she 
found  herself. 

Down  the  wide,  creaking  stairs  and  out  upon  the 
door-stone  she  went,  pausing  there  for  a  moment  to 
decide  where  first  to  go.  The  sound  of  some  one  sing 
ing  in  the  rear  of  the  house  led  her  in  that  direction, 
and  turning  the  corner  she  made  her  first  pleasant  dis 
covery.  A  hill  rose  steeply  behind  the  farm-house, 
and  leaning  from  the  bank  was  an  old  apple-tree,  sha 
ding  a  spring  that  trickled  out  from  the  rocks  and 
dropped  into  a  mossy  trough  below.  Up  the  tree 
had  grown  a  wild  grape-vine,  making  a  green  canopy 
over  the  great  log  which  served  as  a  seat,  and  some 
one  had  planted  maidenhair  ferns  about  both  seat  and 


228  A    GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

spring  to  flourish  beautifully  in  the  damp,  shady 
spot. 

"  Oh,  how  pretty  !  I  '11  go  and  sit  there.  It  looks 
clean,  and  I  can  see  what  is  going  on  in  that  big 
kitchen,  and  hear  the  singing.  I  suppose  it's  Becky's 
little  sisters  by  the  racket." 

Emily  established  herself  on  the  lichen-covered  log 
with  her  feet  upon  a  stone,  and  sat  enjoying  the  musi 
cal  tinkle  of  the  water,  with  her  eyes  on  the  delicate 
ferns  stirring  in  the  wind,  and  the  lively  jingle  of  the 
multiplication-table  chanted  by  childish  voices  in  her 
ear. 

Presently  two  little  girls  with  a  great  pan  of  beans 
came  to  do  their  work  on  the  back  door-step,  a  third 
was  seen  washing  dishes  at  a  window,  and  Becky's 
brown-spotted  gown  flew  about  the  kitchen  as  if  a 
very  energetic  girl  wore  it.  A  woman's  voice  was 
heard  giving  directions,  as  the  speaker  was  evidently 
picking  chickens  somewhere  out  of  sight. 

A  little  of  the  talk  reached  Emily  and  both  amused 
and  annoyed  her,  for  it  proved  that  the  country  people 
were  not  as  stupid  as  they  looked. 

"Oh,  well,  we  mustn't  mind  if  shea's  notional  and 
kind  of  wearing ;  she 's  been  sick,  and  it  will  take  time 
to  get  rid  of  her  fretty  ways.  Jest  be  pleasant,  and 
take  no  notice,  and  that  nice  mother  of  hers  will  make 
it  all  right,"  said  the  woman's  voice. 

"  How  anybody  with  every  mortal  thing  to  be 
happy  with  can  be  out-of-sorts  passes  me.  She 
fussed  about  every  piller,  chair,  trunk,  and  mite  of 
food  last  night,  and  kept  that  poor  tired  lady  trotting 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL   AND    MAIDENHAIR.         229 

till  I  was  provoked.  She's  right  pleasant  this  morn 
ing  though,  and  as  pretty  as  a  picture  in  her  ruffled 
gown  and  that  blue  thing  on  her  head,"  answered 
Becky  from  the  pantry,  as  she  rattled  out  the  pie- 
board,  little  dreaming  who  sat  hidden  behind  the 
grape-vine  festoons  that  veiled  the  corner  by  the 
spring. 

"  Well,  she 's  got  redder  hair  V  we  have,  so  she 
need  n't  be  so  grand  and  try  to  hide  it  writh  blue 
nets,"  added  one  little  voice. 

"  Yes,  and  it  's  ever  so  much  shorter  'n'  ours,  and 
curls  all  over  her  head  like  Daisy's  wool.  I  should 
think  such  a  big  girl  would  feel  real  ashamed  without 
no  braids,"  said  the  other  child,  proudly  surveying  the 
tawny  mane  that  hung  over  her  shoulders,  —  for  like 
most  red-haired  people  all  the  children  were  blessed 
with  luxuriant  crops  of  every  shade  from  golden 
auburn  to  regular  carrots. 

"I  think  it's  lovely.  Suppose  it  had  to  be  cut  off 
when  she  had  the  fever.  Wish  I  could  get  rid  of  my 
mop,  it 's  such  a  bother; "and Becky  wras  seen  tying  a 
clean  towel  over  the  great  knot  that  made  her  head 
look  very  like  a  copper  kettle. 

"Now  fly  round,  deary,  and  get  them  pies  ready. 
I  '11  have  these  fowls  on  in  a  minute,  and  then  go  to 
my  butter.  You  run  off  and  see  if  you  can't  find  some 
wild  strawberries  for  the  poor  girl,  soon 's  ever  you  are 
through  with  them  beans,  children.  We  must  kind  of 
pamper  her  up  for  a  spell  till  her  appetite  comes  back," 
said  the  mother. 

Here  the  chat  ended,  and  soon  the  little  girls  were 


230  A  GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

gone,  leaving  Becky  alone  rolling  out  pie-crust  before 
the  pantry  window.  As  she  worked  her  lips  moved, 
and  Emily,  still  peeping  through  the  leaves,  wondered 
what  she  was  saying,  for  a  low  murmur  rose  and  fell, 
emphasized  now  and  then  with  a  thump  of  the  rolling- 
pin. 

"  I  mean  to  go  and  find  out.  If  I  stand  on  that 
wash-bench  I  can  look  in  and  see  her  work.  1  '11 
show  them  all  that  I'm  not  '  fussy,'  and  can  be  '  right 
pleasant '  if  I  like." 

With  this  wise  resolution  Emily  went  down  the  lit 
tle  path,  and  after  pausing  to  examine  the  churn  set 
out  to  dry,  and  the  row  of  pans  shining  on  a  neighbor 
ing  shelf,  made  her  way  to  the  window,  mounted  the 
bench  while  Becky's  back  was  turned,  and  pushing 
away  the  morning-glory  vines  and  scarlet  beans  that 
ran  up  on  either  side  peeped  in  with  such  a  smiling 
face  that  the  Grossest  cook  could  not  have  frowned  on 
her  as  an  intruder. 

"  May  I  see  you  work1?  I  can't  eat  pies,  but  I  like 
to  watch  people  make  them.  Do  you  mind  1 " 

"  Not  a  bit.  I  'd  ask  you  to  come  in,  but  it 's  dread 
ful  hot  here,  and  not  much  room,"  answered  Becky, 
crimping  round  the  pastry  before  she  poured  in  the 
custard.  "  I  'm  going  to  make  a  nice  little  pudding 
for  you  ;  your  mother  said  you  liked  'em ;  or  would 
you  rather  have  whipped  cream  writh  a  mite  of  jelly  in 
it  1 "  asked  Becky,  anxious  to  suit  her  new  boarder. 

"  Whichever  is  easiest  to  make.  I  don't  care  what 
I  eat.  Do  tell  me  what  you  were  saying.  It  sounded 
like  poetry,"  said  Emily,  leaning  both  elbows  on  the 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL  AND   MAIDENHAIR.        231 

wide  ledge  with  a  pale  pink  morning-glory  kissing  her 
cheek,  and  a  savory  odor  reaching  her  nose. 

"  Oh,  I  was  mumbling  some  verses.  I  often  do 
when  I  work,  it  sort  of  helps  me  along ;  but  it  must 
sound  dreadful  silly,"  and  Becky  blushed  as  if  caught 
in  some  serious  fault. 

"  I  do  it,  and  it 's  a  great  comfort  wrhen  I  lie  awake. 
I  should  think  you  would  want  something  to  help  you 
along,  you  work  so  hard.  Do  you  like  it,  Becky  V 

The  familiar  name,  the  kind  tone,  made  the  plain 
face  brighten  with  pleasure  as  its  owner  said,  while  she 
carefully  filled  a  pretty  bowl  with  a  golden  mixture 
rich  with  fresh  eggs  and  country  milk,  — 

"No,  I  don't,  but  I  ought  to.  Mother  isn't  as 
strong  as  she  used  to  be,  and  there  's  a  sight  to  do, 
and  the  children  to  be  brought  up,  and  the  mortgage 
to  be  paid  off;  so  if/  don't  fly  round,  who  will?  We 
are  doing  real  well  now,  for  Mr.  Walker  manages 
the  farm  and  gives  us  our  share,  so  our  living  is  all 
right ;  then  boarders  in  summer  and  my  school  in 
winter  helps  a  deal,  and  every  year  the  boys  can  do 
more,  so  I  'd  be  a  real  sinner  to  complain  if  I  do  have 
to  step  lively  all  day." 

Becky  smiled  as  she  spoke,  and  straightened  her 
bent  shoulders  as  if  settling  her  burden  for  another 
trudge  along  the  path  of  duty. 

"  Do  you  keep  school  ]  Why.  how  old  are  yon, 
Becky?"  asked  Emily,  much  impressed  by  this  new 
discovery. 

"I  'm  eighteen.  I  took  the  place  of  a  teacher  who 
got  sick  last  fall,  and  I  kept  school  all  winter.  Folks 


232  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

seemed  to  like  me,  and  I  'm  going  to  have  the  same 
place  this  year.  I  'm  so  glad,  for  I  need  n't  go  away, 
and  the  pay  is  pretty  good,  as  the  school  is  large  and 
the  children  do  well.  You  can  see  the  school-house 
down  the  valley,  that  red  brick  one  where  the  roads 
meet ; "  and  Becky  pointed  a  floury  finger,  with  an  air 
of  pride  that  was  pleasant  to  see. 

Emily  glanced  at  the  little  red  house  where  the 
sun  shone  hotly  in  summer,  and  all  the  winds  of 
heaven  must  rage  wildly  in  winter  time,  for  it  stood, 
as  country  schools  usually  do,  in  the  barest,  most  un 
inviting  spot  for  miles  around. 

"  Is  n't  it  awful  down  there  in  winter  ? "  she  asked, 
with  a  shiver  at  the  idea  of  spending  days  shut  up 
in  that  forlorn  place,  with  a  crowd  of  rough  country 
children. 

"  Pretty  cold,  but  we  have  plenty  of  wood,  and  we 
are  used  to  snow  and  gales  up  here.  We  often  coast 
down,  the  whole  lot  of  us,  and  that  is  great  fun. 
We  take  our  dinners  and  have  games  noon-spells, 
and  so  we  get  on  first  rate ;  some  of  my  boys  are  big 
fellows,  older  than  I  am,  and  they  clear  the  roads  and 
make  the  fire  and  look  after  us,  and  we  are  real 
happy  together." 

Emily  found  it  so  impossible  to  imagine  happiness 
under  such  circumstances  that  she  changed  the  sub 
ject  by  asking  in  a  tone  which  had  unconsciously 
grown  more  respectful  since  this  last  revelation  of 
Becky's  abilities,  — 

"If  you  do  so  well  here,  why  don't  you  try  for  a 
larger  school  in  a  better  place  1 " 


MOUNTAIX-LAUKEL    AND    MAIDENHAIK.        233 

"  Oh,  I  could  n't  leave  mother  yet ;  I  hope  to  some 
day,  when  the  girls  are  older,  and  the  boys  able  to  get 
on  alone.  But  I  can't  go  now,  for  there  's  a  sight  of  ' 
things  to  do,  and  mother  is  always  laid  up  with  rheu 
matism  in  cold  weather.  So  much  butter-making 
down  cellar  is  bad  for  her ;  but  she  won't  let  me  do 
that  in  summer,  so  I  take  care  of  her  in  winter.  I  can 
see  to  things  night  and  morning,  and  through  the  day 
she  's  quiet,  and  sits  piecing  carpet-rags  and  resting 
up  for  next  spring.  We  made  and  wove  all  the  carpets 
in  the  house,  except  the  parlor  one.  Mrs.  Taylor  gave 
us  that,  and  the  curtains,  and  the  easy-chair.  Mother 
takes  a  sight  of  comfort  in  that." 

"  Mrs.  Taylor  is  the  lady  who  first  came  to  board 
here,  and  told  us  and  others  about  it,"  said  Emily. 

"  Yes,  and  she 's  the  kindest  lady  in  the  world  !  I  '11 
tell  you  all  about  her  some  day,  it 's  real  interesting ; 
now  I  must  see  to  my  pies,  and  get  the  vegetables 
on,"  answered  Becky,  glancing  at  the  gay  clock  in  the 
kitchen  with  an  anxious  look. 

"  Then  I  won't  waste  any  more  of  your  precious 
time.  May  I  sit  in  that  pretty  place ;  or  is  it  your 
private  bower  1 "  asked  Emily,  as  she  dismounted  from 
the  wash-bench. 

"  Yes,  indeed  you  may.  That 's  mother's  resting- 
place  when  work  is  done.  Father  made  the  spring 
long  ago,  and  I  put  the  ferns  there.  She  can't  go  ram 
bling  round,  and  she  likes  pretty  things,  so  we  fixed  it 
up  for  her,  and  she  takes  comfort  there  nights." 

Becky  bustled  off  to  the  oven  with  her  pies,  and 
Emily  roamed  away  to  the  big  barn  to  lie  on  the  hay, 


234  A   OAKLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

enjoying  the  view  down  the  valley,  as  she  thought 
over  what  she  had  seen  and  heard,  and  very  naturally 
contrasted  her  own  luxurious  and  tenderly  guarded 
life  with  this  other  girl's,  so  hard  and  dull  and  nar 
row.  Working  all  summer  and  teaching  all  winter 
in  that  dismal  little  school- house,  with  no  change  but 
home  cares  and  carpet-weaving  !  It  looked  horrible  to 
pleasure-loving  Emily,  who  led  the  happy,  care-free 
life  of  girls  of  her  class,  with  pleasures  of  all  sorts,  and 
a  future  of  still  greater  luxury,  variety,  and  happiness, 
opening  brightly  before  her. 

It  worried  her  to  think  of  any  one  being  contented 
with  such  a  meagre  share  of  the  good  things  of  life, 
when  she  was  unsatisfied  in  spite  of  the  rich  store 
showered  upon  her.  She  could  not  understand  it,  and 
fell  asleep  wishing  every  one  could  be  comfortable,  —  it 
was  so  annoying  to  see  them  grubbing  in  kitchens, 
teaching  in  bleak  school-houses  among  snow-drifts,  and 
wearing  ugly  calico  gowns. 

A  week  or  two  of  quiet,  country  fare  and  the  brac 
ing  mountain  air  worked  wonders  for  the  invalid,  and 
every  one  rejoiced  to  see  the  pale  cheeks  begin  to  grow 
round  and  rosy,  the  languid  eyes  to  brighten,  and  the 
feeble  girl  who  used  to  lie  on  her  sofa  half  the  day 
now  go  walking  about  with  her  alpenstock,  eager  to 
explore  all  the  pretty  nooks  among  the  hills.  Her 
mother  blessed  Mrs.  Taylor  for  suggesting  this  whole 
some  place.  The  tired  "  school  marms,"  as  Emily 
called  the  three  young  women  who  were  their  fellow- 
boarders,  congratulated  her  as  well  as  themselves  on 
the  daily  improvement  in  strength  and  spirits  all  felt ; 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL   AND    MAIDENHAIR.         235 

and  Becky  exulted  in  the  marvellous  effects  of  her  na 
tive  air,  aided  by  mother's  good  cookery  and  the  cheerful 
society  of  the  children,  whom  the  good  girl  considered 
the  most  remarkable  and  lovable  youngsters  in  the 
world. 

Emily  felt  like  the  queen  of  this  little  kingdom,  and 
was  regarded  as  such  by  every  one,  for  with  returning 
health  she  lost  her  fretful  ways,  and  living  with  simple 
people,  soon  forgot  her  girlish  airs  and  vanities,  be 
coming  very  sweet  and  friendly  with  all  about  her. 
The  children  considered  her  a  sort  of  good  fairy  who 
could  grant  wishes  with  magical  skill,  as  various  gifts 
plainly  proved.  The  boys  were  her  devoted  servants, 
ready  to  run  errands,  "  hitch  up "  and  take  her  to 
drive  at  any  hour,  or  listen  in  mute  delight  when  she 
sang  to  her  guitar  in  the  summer  twilight. 

But  to  Becky  she  was  a  special  godsend  and  com 
fort,  for  before  the  first  month  had  gone  they  were 
good  friends,  and  Emily  had  made  a  discovery  which 
filled  her  head  with  brilliant  plans  for  Becky's  future, 
in  spite  of  her  mother's  warnings,  and  the  sensible 
girl's  own  reluctance  to  be  dazzled  by  enthusiastic 
prophecies  and  dreams. 

It  came  about  in  this  way.  Some  three  weeks  after 
the  two  girls  met,  Emily  went  one  evening  to  their  fa 
vorite  trysting-place,  —  Becky's  bower  among  the  lau 
rels.  It  was  a  pretty  nook  in  the  shadow  of  a  great  gray 
bowlder  near  the  head  of  the  green  valley  which  ran 
down  to  spread  into  the  wide  intervale  below.  A 
brook  went  babbling  among  the  stones  and  grass  and 
sweet-ferns,  while  all  the  slope  was  rosy  with  laurel- 


236  A   GARLAND    FOE    GIRLS. 

flowers  in  their  time,  as  the  sturdy  bushes  grew 
thickly  on  the  hill-side,  down  the  valley,  and  among 
the  woods  that  made  a  rich  background  for  these 
pink  and  white  bouquets  arranged  with  Nature's  own 
careless  grace. 

Emily  liked  this  spot,  and  ever  since  she  had  been 
strong  enough  to  reach  it,  loved  to  climb  up  and  sit  there 
with  book  and  work,  enjoying  the  lovely  panorama  be 
fore  her.  Floating  mists  often  gave  her  a  constant 
succession  of  pretty  pictures ;  now  a  sunny  glimpse  of 
the  distant  lake,  then  the  church  spire  peeping  above 
the  hill,  or  a  flock  of  sheep  feeding  in  the  meadow,  a 
gay  procession  of  young  pilgrims  winding  up  the 
mountain,  or  a  black  cloud  heavy  with  a  coming  storm, 
welcome  because  of  the  glorious  rainbow  and  its 
shadow  which  would  close  the  pageant. 

Unconsciously  the  girl  grew  to  feel  not  only  the 
beauty  but  the  value  of  these  quiet  hours,  to  find  a 
new  peace,  refreshment,  and  happiness,  bubbling  up  in 
her  heart  as  naturally  as  the  brook  gushed  out  among 
the  mossy  rocks,  and  went  singing  away  through  hay- 
fields  and  gardens,  and  by  dusty  roads,  till  it  met  the 
river  and  rolled  on  to  the  sea.  Something  dimly 
stirred  in  her,  and  the  healing  spirit  that  haunts 
such  spots  did  its  sweet  ministering  till  the  inno 
cent  soul  began  to  see  that  life  was  not  perfect  with 
out  labor  as  well  as  love,  duty  as  well  as  happiness, 
and  that  true  contentment  came  from  within,  not 
from  without. 

On  the  evening  we  speak  of,  she  went  to  wait  for 
P.erky,  who  would  join  her  as  soon  as  the  after-supper 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL  AND   MAIDENHAIR.        237 

chores  were  done.  In  the  little  cave  which  held  a  few 
books,  a  dipper,  and  a  birch-bark  basket  for  berries, 
Emily  kept  a  sketching  block  and  a  box  of  pencils, 
and  often  amused  herself  by  trying  to  catch  some  of 
the  lovely  scenes  before  her.  These  efforts  usually 
ended  in  a  humbler  attempt,  and  a  good  study  of 
an  oak-tree,  a  bit  of  rock,  or  a  clump  of  ferns  was 
the  result.  This  evening  the  sunset  was  so  beautiful 
she  could  not  draw,  and  remembering  that  some 
where  in  Becky's  scrap-book  there  was  a  fine  descrip 
tion  of  such  an  hour  by  some  poet,  she  pulled  out 
the  shabby  old  volume,  and  began  to  turn  over  the 
leaves. 

She  had  never  cared  to  look  at  it  but  once,  having 
read  all  the  best  of  its  contents  in  more  attractive 
volumes,  so  Becky  kept  it  tucked  away  in  the  farther 
corner  of  her  rustic  closet,  and  evidently  thought  it  a 
safe  place  to  conceal  a  certain  little  secret  which  Emily 
now  discovered.  As  she  turned  the  stiff  pages  filled 
with  all  sorts  of  verses,  good,  bad,  and  indifferent,  a 
sheet  of  paper  appeared  on  which  was  scribbled  these 
lines  in  school-girl  handwriting  :  — 

MOUNTAIN-LAUREL. 

My  bonnie  flower,  with  truest  joy 

Thy  welcome  face  I  see, 
The  world  grows  brighter  to  my  eyes, 

And  summer  comes  with  thee. 
My  solitude  now  finds  a  friend, 

And  after  each  hard  day, 
I  in  my  mountain  garden  walk, 

To  rest,  or  sing,  or  pray. 


238  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

All  down  the  rocky  slope  is  spread 

Thy  veil  of  rosy  snow, 
And  in  the  valley  by  the  brook, 

Thy  deeper  blossoms  grow. 
The  barren  wilderness  grows  fair, 

Such  beauty  dost  thou  give  ; 
And  human  eyes  and  Nature's  heart 

Rejoice  that  thou  dost  live. 

Each  year  I  wait  thy  coming,  dear, 

Each  year  I  love  thee  more, 
For  life  grows  hard,  and  much  I  need 

Thy  honey  for  my  store. 
So,  like  a  hungry  bee,  I  sip 

Sweet  lessons  from  thy  cup, 
And  sitting  at  a  flower's  feet, 

My  soul  learns  to  look  up. 

No  laurels  shall  I  ever  win, 

No  splendid  blossoms  bear, 
But  gratefully  receive  and  use 

God's  blessed  sun  and  air  ; 
And,  blooming  where  my  lot  is  cast 

Grow  happy  and  content, 
Making  some  barren  spot  more  fair, 

For  a  humble  life  well  spent. 

"  She  wrote  it  herself !  I  can't  believe  it ! "  said 
Emily,  as  she  put  down  the  paper,  looking  rather 
startled,  for  she  did  believe  it,  and  felt  as  if  she  had 
suddenly  looked  into  a  fellow-creature's  heart.  "  I 
thought  her  just  an  ordinary  girl,  and  here  she  is  a 
poet,  writing  verses  that  make  me  want  to  cry  !  I 
don't  suppose  they  are  very  good,  but  they  seem  to 
come  right  out  of  her  heart,  and  touch  me  with  the 
longing  and  the  patience  or  the  piety  in  them.  Well, 


"  She  wrote  it  herself  !  "  —  PAGE  238. 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL   AND    MAIDENHAIR.        239 

I  am  surprised !  "  and  Emily  read  the  lines  again,  see 
ing  the  faults  more  plainly  than  before,  but  still  feeling 
that  the  girl  put  herself  into  them,  vainly  trying  to 
express  what  the  wild  flower  was  to  her  in  the  loneli 
ness  which  comes  to  those  who  have  a  little  spark  of 
the  divine  fire  burning  in  their  souls. 

"  Shall  I  tell  her  I 've  found  it  out?  I  must !  and  see 
if  I  can't  get  her  verses  printed.  Of  course  she  has  more 
tucked  away  somewhere.  That  is  what  she  hums  to 
herself  when  she  's  at  work,  and  won't  tell  me  about 
when  I  ask.  Sly  thing  !  to  be  so  bashful  and  hide  her 
gift.  I'll  tease  her  a  bit  and  see  what  she  says.  Oh 
dear,  I  wish  /  could  do  it !  Perhaps  she  '11  be  famous 
some  day,  and  then  I  '11  have  the  glory  of  discovering 
her." 

With  that  consolation  Emily  turned  over  the  pages 
of  the  ledger  and  found  several  more  bits  of  verse, 
some  very  good  for  an  untaught  girl,  others  very 
faulty,  but  all  having  a  certain  strength  of  feeling  and 
simplicity  of  language  unusual  in  the  effusions  of 
young  maidens  at  the  sentimental  age. 

Emily  had  a  girlish  admiration  for  talent  of  any 
kind,  and  being  fond  of  poetry,  was  especially  pleased 
to  find  that  her  humble  friend  possessed  the  power  of 
writing  it.  Of  course  she  exaggerated  Becky's  talent, 
and  as  she  waited  for  her,  felt  sure  that  she  had  dis 
covered  a  feminine  Burns  among  the  New  Hampshire 
hills,  for  all  the  verses  were  about  natural  and  homely 
objects,  touched  into  beauty  by  sweet  words  or  tender 
sentiment.  She  had  time  to  build  a  splendid  castle  in 
t'.ie  air  and  settle  Becky  in  it  with  a  crown  of  glory  on 


240  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

her  head,  before  the  quiet  figure  in  a  faded  simboimet 
came  slowly  up  the  slope  with  the  glow  of  sunset  on  a 
tired  but  tranquil  face. 

"  Sit  here  and  have  a  good  rest,  while  I  talk  to  you," 
said  Emily,  eager  to  act  the  somewhat  dramatic  scene 
she  had  planned.  Becky  sunk  upon  the  red  cushion 
prepared  for  her,  and  sat  looking  down  at  the  ani 
mated  speaker,  as  Emily,  perched  on  a  mossy  stone 
before  her,  began  the  performance. 

"  Becky,  did  you  ever  hear  of  the  Goodale  children  ? 
They  lived  in  the  country  and  wrote  poetry  and  grew 
to  be  famous." 

"  Oh  yes,  I  've  read  their  poems  and  like  'em  very 
much.  Do  you  know  'em  1 "  and  Becky  looked  inter 
ested  at  once. 

"  No,  but  I  once  met  a  girl  who  was  something  like 
them,  only  she  did  n't  have  such  an  easy  time  as 
they  did,  with  a  father  to  help,  and  a  nice  Sky-farm, 
and  good  luck  generally.  I  Ve  tried  to  write  verses 
myself,  but  I  always  get  into  a  muddle,  and  give  it  up. 
This  makes  me  interested  in  other  girls  who  can  do 
it,  and  I  want  to  help  my  friend.  I  'm  sure  she  has 
talent,  and  T  'd  so  like  to  give  her  a  lift  in  some  way. 
Let  me  read  you  a  piece  of  hers  and  see  what  you 
think  of  it." 

"  Do  !  "  and  Becky  threw  off  the  sunbonnet,  folded 
her  hands  round  her  knees,  and  composed  herself  to 
listen  with  such  perfect  unconsciousness  of  what  was 
coming  that  Emily  both  laughed  at  the  joke  and 
blushed  at  the  liberty  she  felt  she  was  taking  with  the 
poor  girl's  carefully  hidden  secret. 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL   AND    MAIDENHAIR.        241 

Becky  was  sure  now  that  Emily  was  going  to  read 
something  of  her  own  after  this  artful  introduction, 
and  began  to  smile  as  the  paper  was  produced  and  the 
first  four  lines  read  in  a  tone  that  was  half  timid,  half 
triumphant.  Then  with  a  cry  she  seized  and  crumpled 
up  the  paper,  exclaiming  almost  fiercely, — 

"It's  mine!  Where  did  you  get  it  1  How  dar'st 
you  touch  it  1 " 

Emily  fell  upon  her  knees  with  a  face  and  voice  so 
full  of  penitence,  pleasure,  sympathy,  and  satisfaction, 
that  Becky's  wrath  was  appeased  before  her  friend's 
explanation  ended  with  these  soothing  and  delightful 
words,  — 

"  That 's  all,  dear,  and  I  beg  your  pardon.  But  I  'in 
sure  you  will  be  famous  if  you  keep  on,  and  I  shall  yet 
see  a  volume  of  poems  by  Rebecca  Moore  of  Rocky 
Nook,  New  Hampshire. 

Becky  hid  her  face  as  if  shame,  surprise,  wonder, 
and  joy  filled  her  heart  too  full  and  made  a  few 
happy  tears  drop  on  the  hands  so  worn  with  hard 
work,  when  they  ached  to  be  holding  a  pen  and  trying 
to  record  the  fancies  that  sung  in  her  brain  as  cease 
lessly  as  the  soft  sough  of  the  pines  or  the  ripple  of 
the  brook  murmured  in  her  ear  when  she  sat  here 
alone.  She  could  not  express  the  vague  longings  that 
stirred  in  her  soul ;  she  could  only  feel  and  dimly 
strive  to  understand  and  utter  them,  with  no  thought 
of  fame  or  fortune,  —  for  she  was  a  humble  creature, 
and  never  knew  that  the  hardships  of  her  life  were  press 
ing  out  the  virtues  of  her  nature  as  the  tread  of  care- 
l.?ss  feet  crush  the  sweet  perfume  from  wild  herbs. 
1C 


242  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

Presently  she  looked  up,  deeply  touched  by  Emily's 
words  and  caresses,  and  her  blue  eyes  shone  like  stars 
as  her  face  beamed  with  something  finer  than  mere 
beauty,  for  the  secrets  of  her  innocent  heart  were 
known  to  this  friend  now,  and  it  was  very  sweet  to 
accept  the  first  draught  of  confidence  and  praise. 

"  I  don't  mind  much,  but  I  was  scared  for  a  minute. 
No  one  knows  but  Mother,  and  she  laughs  at  me, 
though  she  don't  care  if  it  makes  me  happy.  I  'm 
glad  you  like  my  scribbling,  but  really  I  never  think 
or  hope  of  being  anybody.  I  could  n't,  you  know  ! 
but  it  's  real  nice  to  have  you  say  I  might  and  to 
make  believe  for  a  little  while." 

"  But  why  not,  Becky  1  The  Goodale  girls  did,  and 
half  the  poets  in  the  world  were  poor,  ignorant  people 
at  first,  you  know.  It  only  needs  time  and  help,  and 
the  gift  will  grow,  and  people  see  it ;  and  then  the 
glory  and  the  money  will  come,"  cried  Emily,  quite 
carried  away  by  her  own  enthusiasm  and  good-will. 

"  Could  I  get  any  money  by  these  things  1 "  asked 
Becky,  looking  at  the  crumpled  paper  lying  under  a 
laurel-bush. 

"  Of  course  you  could,  dear  !  Let  me  have  some  of 
them,  and  I  '11  show  you  that  I  know  good  poetry 
when  I  see  it.  You  will  believe  if  some  bank-bills 
come  with  the  paper  the  verses  appear  in,  I  hope  1 " 

Blind  to  any  harm  she  might  do  by  exciting  vain 
hopes  in  her  eagerness  to  cheer  and  help,  Emily  made 
this  rash  proposal  in  all  good  faith,  meaning  to  pay 
for  the  verses  herself  if  no  editor  was  found  to  accept 
them. 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL   AND    MAIDENHAIR.         243 

Becky  looked  half  bewildered  by  this  brilliant  pros 
pect,  and  took  a  long  breath,  as  if  some  hand  had 
lifted  a  heavy  burden  a  little  way  from  her  weary 
back,  for  stronger  than  ambition  for  herself  was  love 
for  her  family,  and  the  thought  of  help  for  them  was 
sweeter  than  any  dream  of  fame. 

**  Yes,  I  would !  oh,  if  I  only  could,  I  'd  be  the  hap 
piest  girl  in  the  world  !  But  I  can't  believe  it,  Emily. 
I  heard  Mrs.  Taylor  say  that  only  the  very  best  poetry 
paid,  and  mine  is  poor  stuff,  I  know  well  enough." 

"  Of  course  it  needs  polishing  and  practice  and  all 
that :  but  I  'm  sure  it  is  oceans  better  than  half  the 
sentimental  twaddle  we  see  in  the  papers,  and  I  know 
that  some  of  those  pieces  are  paid  for,  because  I  have 
a  friend  who  is  in  a  newpaper  office,  and  he  told  me  so. 
Yours  are  quaint  and  simple  and  some  very  original. 
I  'm  sure  that  ballad  of  the  old  house  is  lovely,  and  I 
want  to  send  it  to  Whittier.  Mamma  knows  him; 
it 's  the  sort  he  likes,  and  he  is  so  kind  to  every  one, 
he  will  criticise  it,  and  be  interested  when  she  tells 
him  about  you.  Do  let  me  !  " 

"  I  never  could  in  the  world  !  It  would  be  so  bold, 
Mother  would  think  I  was  crazy.  I  love  Mr.  Whittier, , 
but  I  would  n't  dar'st  to  show  him  my  nonsense, though 
reading  his  beautiful  poetry  helps  me  ever  so  much." 

Becky  looked  and  spoke  as  if  her  breath  had  been 
taken  away  by  this  audacious  proposal;  and  yet  a 
sudden  delicious  hope  sprung  up  in  her  heart  that 
there  might,  perhaps,  be  a  spark  of  real  virtue  in  the 
little  fire  which  burned  within  her,  warming  and 
brightening  her  dull  life. 


244  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  Let  us  ask  Mamma ;  she  will  tell  us  what  is  best 
to  do  first,  for  she  knows  all  sorts  of  literary  people, 
and  won't  say  any  more  than  you  want  her  to.  I  'm 
bent  on  having  my  way,  Becky,  and  the  more  modest 
you  are,  the  surer  I  am  that  you  are  a  genius.  Real 
geniuses  always  are  shy;  so  you  just  make  up  your 
mind  to  give  me  the  best  of  your  pieces,  and  let  me 
prove  that  I  'm  right." 

It  was  impossible  to  resist  such  persuasive  words, 
and  Becky  soon  yielded  to  the  little  siren  who  was 
luring  her  out  of  her  safe,  small  pool  into  the  deeper 
water  that  looks  so  blue  and  smooth  till  the  venture 
some  paper  boats  get  into  the  swift  eddies,  or  run 
aground  upon  the  rocks  and  sandbars. 

The  greatest  secrecy  was  to  be  preserved,  and  no 
one  but  Mrs.  Spenser  was  to  know  what  a  momentous 
enterprise  was  afoot.  The  girls  sat  absorbed  in  their 
brilliant  plans  till  it  was  nearly  dark,  then  groped 
their  way  home  hand  in  hand,  leaving  another  secret 
for  the  laurels  to  keep  and  dream  over  through  their 
long  sleep,  for  blossom  time  was  past,  and  the  rosy 
faces  turning  pale  in  the  July  sun. 

Neither  of  the  girls  forgot  the  talk  they  had  that 
night  in  Emily's  room,  for  she  led  her  captive  straight 
to  her  mother,  and  told  her  alt  their  plans  and  as 
pirations  without  a  moment's  delay. 

Mrs.  Spenser  much  regretted  her  daughter's  well- 
meant  enthusiasm,  but  fearing  harm  might  be  done, 
very  wisely  tried  to  calm  the  innocent  excitement  of 
both  by  the  quiet  matter-of-fact  way  in  which  she 
listened  to  the  explanation  Emily  gave  her,  read  the 


MOUNTA1X-LAUKEL   AND   MAIDENHAIR.        245 

verses  timidly  offered  by  Becky,  and  then  said,  kindly 
but  firmly  :  — 

"  This  is  not  poetry,  my  dear  girls,  though  the  lines 
run  smoothly  enough,  and  the  sentiment  is  sweet  It 
would  bring  neither  fame  nor  money,  and  Rebecca 
puts  more  real  truth,  beauty,  and  poetry  into  her  duti 
ful  daily  life  than  in  any  lines  she  has  written." 

"  We  had  such  a  lovely  plan  for  Becky  to  come  to 
town  with  me,  and  see  the  world,  and  write,  and  be 
famous.  How  can  you  spoil  it  all  ] " 

"  My  foolish  little  daughter,  I  must  prevent  you 
from  spoiling  this  good  girl's  life  by  your  rash  pro 
jects.  Becky  will  see  that  I  am  wise,  though  you  do 
not,  and  she  will  understand  this  verse  from  my  favor 
ite  poet,  and  lay  it  to  heart  :  — 

"  So  near  is  grandeur  to  our  dust, 
So  nigh  is  God  to  man, 
When  Duty  whispers  low,  «  Thou  must  ! ' 
The  youth  replies,  '  I  can  ! '  " 

"  I  do  !  I  will !  please  go  on,"  and  Becky's  troubled 
eyes  grew  clear  and  steadfast  as  she  took  the  words 
home  to  herself,  resolving  to  live  up  to  them. 

"  Oh,  mother !  "  cried  Emily,  thinking  her  very 
cruel  to  nip  their  budding  hopes  in  this  way. 

"  I  know  you  won't  believe  it  now,  nor  be  able  to 
see  all  that  I  mean  perhaps,  but  time  will  teach  you 
both  to  own  that  I  am  right,  and  to  value  the  sub 
stance  more  than  the  shadow,"  continued  Mrs.  Spenser. 
"Many  girls  write  verses  and  think  they  are  poets; 
but  it  is  only  a  passing  mood,  and  fortunately  for  the 


246  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

world,  and  for  them  also,  it  soon  dies  out  in  some 
more  genuine  work  or  passion.  Very  few  have  the 
real  gift,  and  those  to  whom  it  is  given  wait  and  work 
and  slowly  reach  the  height  of  their  powers.  Many  de 
lude  themselves,  and  try  to  persuade  the  world  that 
they  can  sing  ;  but  it  is  waste  of  time,  and  ends  in  dis 
appointment,  as  the  mass  of  sentimental  rubbish  we 
all  see  plainly  proves.  Write  your  little  verses,  my 
dear,  when  the  spirit  moves,  —  it  is  a  harmless  pleasure, 
a  real  comfort,  and  a  good  lesson  for  you ;  but  do  not 
neglect  higher  duties  or  deceive  yourself  with  false 
hopes  and  vain  dreams.  '  First  live,  then  write,'  is 
a  good  inotto  for  ambitious  young  people.  A  still  bet 
ter  for  us  all  is,  'Do  the  duty  that  lies  nearest ;'  and 
the  faithful  performance  of  that,  no  matter  how  hum 
ble  it  is,  will  be  the  best  help  for  whatever  talent  may 
lie  hidden  in  us,  ready  to  bloom  when  the  time  comes. 
Remember  this,  and  do  not  let  my  enthusiastic  girl's 
well-meant  but  unwise  prophecies  and  plans  unsettle 
you,  and  unfit  you  for  the  noble  work  you  are  doing." 

"  Thank  you,  ma'am  !  I  will  remember  ;  I  know  you 
are  right,  and  I  won't  be  upset  by  foolish  notions.  I 
never  imagined  before  that  I  could  be  a  poet ;  but  it 
sounded  so  sort  of  splendid,  I  thought  maybe  it  might 
happen  to  me,  by-and-by,  as  it  does  to  other  folks.  I 
.won't  lot  on  it,  but  settle  right  down  and  do  my  work 
cheerful." 

As  she  listened,  Becky's  face  had  grown  pale  and 
serious,  even  a  little  sad;  but  as  she  answered,  her 
eyes  shone,  her  lips  were  firm,  and  her  plain  face  al 
most  beautiful  with  the  courage  and  confidence  that 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL  AND   MAIDENHAIR.        247 

sprung  up  within  her.  She  saw  the  wisdom  of  her 
friend's  advice,  felt  the  kindness  of  showing  her  the 
mistake  frankly,  and  was  grateful  for  it,  — conscious  in 
her  own  strong,  loving  heart  that  it  was  better  to  live 
and  work  for  others  than  to  dream  and  strive  for  her 
self  alone. 

Mrs.  Spenser  was  both  surprised  and  touched  by  the 
girl's  look,  words,  and  manner,  and  her  respect  much 
increased  by  the  courage  and  good  temper  with  which 
she  saw  her  lovely  castle  in  the  air  vanish  like  smoke, 
leaving  the  hard  reality  looking  harder  than  ever,  after 
this  little  flight  into  the  fairy  regions  of  romance. 

She  talked  long  with  the  girls,  and  gave  them  the 
counsel  nil  eager  young  people  need,  yet  are  very  slow 
to  accept  till  experience  teaches  them  its  worth.  As 
the  friend  of  many  successful  literary  people,  Mrs. 
Spenser  was  constantly  receiving  the  confidences  of 
unfledged  scribblers,  each  of  whom  was  sure  that  he  or 
she  had  something  valuable  to  add  to  the  world's  liter 
ature.  Her  advice  was  always  the  same,  "  Work  and 
wait ; "  and  only  now  and  then  was  a  young  poet  or  au 
thor  found  enough  in  earnest  to  do  both,  and  thereby 
prove  to  themselves  and  others  either  that  they  did 
possess  power,  or  did  not,  and  so  settle  the  question 
forever.  "  First  live,  then  write,"  proved  a  quietus  for 
many,  and  "Do  the  duty  that  lies  nearest"  satisfied 
the  more  sincere  that  they  could  be  happy  without 
fame..  So,  thanks  to  this  wise  and  kindly  woman,  a 
large  number  of  worthy  youths  and  maidens  ceased 
dreaming  and  fell  to  work,  and  the  world  was  spared 
reams  of  feeble  verse  and  third-rate  romances. 


248  A   GARLAND    FOR   GIRLS. 

After  that  night  Becky  spent  fewer  spare  hours  in 
her  nest,  and  more  in  reading  with  Emily,  who  lent 
her  books  and  helped  her  to  understand  them,  —  both 
much  assisted  by  Mrs.  Spenser,  who  marked  passages, 
suggested  authors,  and  explained  whatever  puzzled 
them.  Very  happy  bits  of  time  were  these,  and  very 
precious  to  both,  as  Emily  learned  to  see  and  appre 
ciate  the  humbler,  harder  side  of  life,  and  Becky  got 
delightful  glimpses  into  the  beautiful  world  of  art, 
poetry,  and  truth,  which  gave  her  better  food  for  heart 
and  brain  than  sentimental  musings  or  blind  efforts  to 
satisfy  the  hunger  of  her  nature  with  verse-writing. 

Their  favorite  places  were  in  the  big  barn,  on  the 
front  porch,  or  by  the  spring.  This  last  was  Emily's 
schoolroom,  and  she  both  taught  and  learned  many 
useful  lessons  there. 

One  day  as  Becky  came  to  rest  a  few  minutes  and 
shell  peas,  Emily  put  down  her  book  to  help  ;  and  as 
the  pods  flew,  she  said,  nodding  toward  the  delicate 
fei'ns  that  grew  thickly  all  about  the  trough,  the  rock, 
and  the  grassy  bank,  — 

"  We  have  these  in  our  greenhouse,  but  I  never  saw 
them  growing  wild  before,  and  I  don't  find  them  any 
where  up  here.  How  did  you  get  such  beauties,  and 
make  them  do  so  well  1 " 

11  Oh,  they  grow  in  nooks  on  the  mountain  hidden 
under  the  taller  ferns,  and  in  sly  corners.  But  they 
don't  grow  like  these,  and  die  soon  unless  transplanted 
and  taken  good  care  of.  They  always  make  me  think 
of  you,  —  so  graceful  and  delicate,  and  just  fit  to  live 
with  tea-roses  in  a  hot-house,  and  go  to  balls  in  beau- 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL   AND   MAIDENHAIR.         249 

tiful  ladies'  iokays,"  ans\vered  Becky,  smiling  at  her 
new  friend,  always  so  dainty,  and  still  so  delicate  in 
spite  of  the  summer's  rustication. 

"  Thank  you  !  I  suppose  I  shall  never  be  very  strong 
or  able  to  do  much ;  so  I  am  rather  like  a  fern,  and  do 
live  in  a  conservatory  all  winter,  as  I  can't  go  out  a 
great  deal.  An  idle  thing,  Becky  !  "  and  Emily  sighed, 
for  she  was  born  frail,  and  even  her  tenderly  guarded 
life  could  not  give  her  the  vigor  of  other  girls.  But 
the  sigh  changed  to  a  smile  as  she  added,  — 

"  If  1  am  like  the  fern,  you  are  like  your  own  laurel, 
—  strong,  rosy,  and  able  to  grow  anywhere.  I  want  to 
carry  a  few  roots  home,  and  see  if  they  won't  grow  in 
my  garden.  Then  you  will  have  me,  and  I  you.  I 
only  hope  your  plant  will  do  as  well  as  mine  does 
here." 

"  It  won't !  ever  so  many  folks  have  taken  roots 
away,  but  they  never  thrive  in  gardens  as  they  do  on 
the  hills  where  they  belong.  So  I  tell  'em  to  leave 
the  dear  bushes  alone,  and  come  up  here  and  enjoy 
'em  in  their  own  place.  You  might  keep  a  plant  of  it 
in  your  hot-house,  and  it  would  blow  1  dare  say  ;  but 
it  would  never  be  half  so  lovely  as  my  acres  of  them, 
and  I  guess  it  would  only  make  you  sad,  seeing  it  so 
far  from  home,  and  pale  and  pining,"  answered  Becky, 
with  her  eyes  on  the  green  slopes  where  the  mountain- 
laurel  braved  the  wintry  snow,  and  came  out  fresh  and 
early  in  the  spring. 

"  Then  I  '11  let  it  alone  till  I  come  next  summer. 
But  don't  you  take  any  of  the  fern  into  the  house  in 
the  cold  weather  1  I  should  think  it  would  grow  in 


250  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

your  sunny  windows,"  said  Emily,  pleased  by  the  fancy 
that  it  resembled  herself. 

"  I  tried  it,  but  it  needs  a  damp  place,  and  our  cold 
nights  kill  it.  No,  it  won't  grow  in  our  old  house ;  but 
I  cover  it  with  leaves,  and  the  little  green  sprouts  come 
up  as  hearty  as  can  be  out  here.  The  shade,  the 
spring,  the  shelter  of  the  rock,  keep  it  alive,  you  see, 
so  it's  no  use  trying  to  move  it." 

Both  sat  silent  for  a  few  minutes,  as  their  hands 
moved  briskly  and  they  thought  of  their  different  lots. 
An  inquisitive  ray  of  sunshine  peeped  in  at  them, 
touching  Becky's  hair  till  it  shone  like  red  gold.  The 
same  ray  dazzled  Emily's  eyes ;  she  put  np  her  hand 
to  pull  her  hat-brim  lower,  and  touched  the  little 
curls  on  her  forehead.  This  recalled  her  pet  grievance, 
and  made  her  say  impatiently,  as  she  pushed  the  thick 
short  locks  under  her  net,  — 

"  My  hair  is  such  a  plague  !  I  don't  know  what  I 
am  to  do  when  I  go  into  society  by-and-by.  This  crop 
is  so  unbecoming,  and  I  can't  match  my  hair  anywhere, 
it  is  such  a  peculiar  shade  of  golden-auburn." 

"  It 's  a  pretty  color,  and  I  think  the  curls  much 
nicer  than  a  boughten  switch,"  said  Becky,  quite  un 
conscious  that  her  own  luxuriant  locks  were  of  the  true 
Titian  red,  and  would  be  much  admired  by  artistic 
eyes. 

"  I  don't !  I  shall  send  to  Paris  to  match  it,  and 
then  wear  a  braid  round  my  head  as  you  do  sometimes. 
I  suppose  it  will  cost  a  fortune,  but  I  won't  have  a 
strong-minded  crop.  A  friend  of  mine  got  a  lovely 
golden  switch  for  fifty  dollars." 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL   AND    MAIDENHAIR.        251 

"  My  patience  !  do  folks  pay  like  that  for  false  hair? " 
asked  Becky,  amazed. 

"  Yes,  indeed.  White  hair  costs  a  hundred,  I  be 
lieve,  if  it  is  long.  Why,  you  could  get  ever  so  much 
for  yours  if  you  ever  wanted  to  sell  it.  I  '11  take 
part  of  it,  for  in  a  little  while  mine  will  be  as  dark, 
and  I  'd  like  to  wear  your  hair,  Becky." 

"  Don't  believe  Mother  would  let  me.  She  is  very 
proud  of  our  red  heads.  If  I  ever  do  cut  it,  you  shall 
have  some.  I  may  be  hard  up  and  glad  to  sell  it  per 
haps.  My  sakes  !  I  smell  the  cake  burning  ! "  and  off 
flew  Becky  to  forget  the  chat  in  her  work. 

Emily  did  not  forget  it,  and  hoped  Becky  would  be 
tempted,  for  she  really  coveted  one  of  the  fine  braids, 
but  felt  shy  about  asking  the  poor  girl  for  even  a  part 
of  her  one  beauty. 

So  July  and  August  passed  pleasantly  and  profita 
bly  to  both  girls,  and  in  September  they  were  to  part. 
No  more  was  said  about  poetry ;  and  Emily  soon  be 
came  so  interested  in  the  busy,  practical  life  about 
her  that  her  own  hi^h-flown  dreams  were  quite  forgot 
ten,  and  she  learned  to  enjoy  the  sweet  prose  of  daily 
labor. 

One  breezy  afternoon  as  she  and  her  mother  sat 
resting  from  a  stroll  on  the  way-side  bank  among  the 
golden-rod  and  asters,  they  saw  Becky  coming  up  the 
long  hill  with  a  basket  on  her  arm.  She  walked  slowly, 
as  if  lost  in  thought,  yet  never  missed  pushing  aside 
with  a  decided  gesture  of  her  foot  every  stone  that  lay 
in  her  way.  There  were  many  in  that  rocky  path,  but 
Becky  left  it  smoother  as  she  climbed,  and  paused  now 


252  A   OAKLAND    FOR    GIRLS. 

and  then  to  send  some  especially  sharp  or  large  one 
spinning  into  the  grassy  ditch  beside  the  road. 

"  Is  n't  she  a  curious  girl,  Mamma'?  so  tired  after 
her  long  walk  to  town,  yet  so  anxious  not  to  leave  a 
stone  in  the  way,"  said  Emily,  as  they  watched  her 
slow  approach. 

"  A  very  interesting  one  to  me,  dear,  because  under 
that  humble  exterior  lies  a  fine,  strong  character.  It  is 
like  Becky  to  clear  her  way,  even  up  a  dusty  hill  where 
the  first  rain  will  wash  out  many  more  stones.  Let 
us  ask  her  why  she  does  it.  I  've  observed  the  habit 
before,  and  always  meant  to  ask,"  replied  Mrs.  Spenser. 

"  Here  we  are  !  Come  and  rest  a  minute,  Becky, 
and  tell  us  if  you  mend  roads  as  well  as  ever  so  many 
other  things;"  called  Emily,  beckoning  with  a  smile, 
as  the  girl  looked  up  and  saw  them. 

"  Oh,  it's  a  trick  of  mine  ;  I  caught  it  of  Father  when 
I  was  a  little  thing,  and  do  it  without  knowing  it  half 
the  time,"  said  Becky,  sinking  down  upon  a  mossy 
rock,  as  if  rest  were  welcome. 

"  Why  did  he  do  it  1 "  asked  Emily,  who  knew  that 
her  friend  loved  to  talk  of  her  father. 

"Well,  it's  a  family  failing  I  guess,  for  his  father 
did  the  same,  only  he  began  with  his  farm  and  let  the 
roads  alone.  The  land  used  to  be  pretty  much  all 
rocks  up  here,  you  know,  and  farmers  had  to  clear  the 
ground  if  they  wanted  crops.  It  was  a  hard  fight,  and 
took  a  sight  of  time  and  patience  to  grub  out  roots 
and  blast  rocks  and  pick  up  stones  that  seemed  to 
grow  faster  than  anything  else.  But  they  kept  on,  and 
now  see  ! " 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL    AND   MAIDENHAIR.        253 

As  she  spoke,  Becky  pointed  proudly  to  the  wide, 
smooth  fields  lying  before  them,  newly  shorn  of 
grass  or  grain,  waving  with  corn,  or  rich  in  garden 
crops  ripening  for  winter  stores.  Here  and  there  were 
rocky  strips  unreclaimed,  as  if  to  show  what  had  been 
done ;  and  massive  stone  walls  surrounded  pasture, 
field,  and  garden. 

"  A  good  lesson  in  patience  and  perseverance,  my 
dear,  and  does  great  honor  to  the  men  who  made 
the  wilderness  blossom  like  the  rose,"  said  Mrs. 
Spenser. 

"  Then  you  can't  wonder  that  they  loved  it  and  we 
want  to  keep  it.  I  guess  it  would  break  Mother's 
heart  to  sell  this  place,  and  we  are  all  working  as  hard 
as  ever  we  can  to  pay  off  the  mortgage.  Then  we  '11 
be  just  the  happiest  family  in  New  Hampshire,"  said 
Becky,  fondly  surveying  the  old  farm-house,  the  rocky 
hill,  and  the  precious  fields  won  from  the  forest. 

"You  never  need  fear  to  lose  it ;  we  will  see  to  that 
if  you  will  let  us,"  began  Mrs.  Spenser,  who  was  both 
a  rich  and  a  generous  woman. 

"  Oh,  thank  you  !  but  we  won't  need  help  I  guess  ; 
and  if  we  should,  Mrs.  Taylor  made  us  promise  to 
come  to  her,"  cried  Becky.  "  She  found  us  just  in 
our  hardest  time,  and  wanted  to  fix  things  then;  but 
we  are  proud  in  our  way,  and  Mother  said  she  'd 
rather  work  it  off  if  she  could.  Then  what  did  that 
dear  lady  do  but  talk  to  the  folks  round  here,  and 
show  'em  how  a  branch  railroad  down  to  Peeksville 
would  increase  the  value  of  the  land,  and  how  good 
this  valley  would  be  for  strawberries  and  asparagus 


254  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

and  garden  truck  if  we  could  only  get  it  to  market. 
Some  of  the  rich  men  took  up  the  plan,  and  we  hope 
it  will  be  done  this  fall.  It  will  be  the  making  of  us, 
for  our  land  is  first-rate  for  small  crops,  and  the  chil 
dren  can  help  at  that,  and  with  a  deepot  close  by  it 
would  be  such  easy  work.  That 's  what  I  call  helping 
folks  to  help  themselves.  Won't  it  be  grand  1 " 

Becky  looked  so  enthusiastic  that  Emily  could  not 
remain  uninterested,  though  market-gardening  did  not 
sound  very  romantic. 

"  I  hope  it  will  come,  and  next  year  we  shall  see  you 
all  hard  at  it.  What  a  good  woman  Mrs.  Taylor  is  ! " 

"  Ain't  she  3  and  the  sad  part  of  it  is,  she  can't  do 
and  enjoy  all  she  wants  to,  because  her  health  is  so 
poor.  She  was  a  country  girl,  you  know,  and  went  to 
work  in  the  city  as  waiter  in  a  boarding-house.  A 
rich  man  fell  in  love  with  her  and  married  her,  and 
she  took  care  of  him  for  years,  and  he  left  her  all  his 
money.  She  was  quite  broken  down,  but  she  wanted 
to  make  his  name  loved  and  honored  after  his  death, 
as  he  had  n't  done  any  good  while  he  lived ;  so  she 
gives  away  heaps,  and  is  never  tired  of  helping  poor 
folks  and  doing  all  sorts  of  grand  things  to  make  the 
world  better.  I  call  that  splendid  ! " 

"  So  do  I,  yet  it  is  only  what  you  are  doing  in  a 
small  way,  Becky,'7  said  Mrs.  Spenser,  as  the  girl 
paused  out  of  breath.  "  Mrs.  Taylor  clears  the  stones 
out  of  people's  paths,  making  their  road  easier  to 
climb  than  hers  has  been,  and  leaving  behind  her 
fruitful  fields  for  others  to  reap.  This  is  a  better 
work  than  making  verses,  for  it  is  the  real  poetry  of 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL   AND   MAIDENHAIR.        255 

life,  and  brings  to  those  who  give  themselves  to  it,  no 
matter  in  what  humble  ways,  something  sweeter  than 
fame  and  more  enduring  than  fortune." 

"  So  it  does  !  I  see  that  now,  and  know  why  we 
love  Father  as  we  do,  and  want  to  keep  what  he 
worked  so  hard  to  give  us.  He  used  to  say  every 
stone  cleared  away  was  just  so  much  help  to  the 
boys;  and  he  used  to  tell  me  his  plans  as  I  trotted 
after  him  round  the  farm,  helping  all  I  could,  being 
the  oldest,  and  like  him,  he  said." 

Becky  paused  with  full  eyes,  for  not  even  to  these 
good  friends  could  she  ever  tell  the  shifts  and  strug 
gles  in  which  she  had  bravely  borne  her  part  during 
the  long  hard  years  that  had  wrested  the  little  home 
stead  from  the  stony-hearted  hills. 

The  musical  chime  of  a  distant  clock  reminded  her 
that  supper  time  was  near,  and  she  sprang  up  as  if 
much  refreshed  by  this  pleasant  rest  by  the  way-side. 
As  she  pulled  out  her  handkerchief,  a  little  roll  of 
pale  blue  ribbon  fell  from  her  pocket,  and  Emily 
caught  it  up,  exclaiming  mischievously,  "  Are  you 
going  to  make  yourself  fine  next  Sunday,  when  Moses 
Fennel  calls,  Becky  ? " 

The  girl  laughed  and  blushed  as  she  said,  carefully 
folding  up  the  ribbon,  — 

"  I  'm  going  to  do  something  with  it  that  I  like  a 
sight  better  than  that.  Poor  Moses  won't  come  any 
more,  I  guess.  I  'm  not  going  to  leave  Mother  till 
the  girls  can  take  my  place,  and  only  then  to  teach, 
if  I  can  get  a  good  school  somewhere  near." 

"  We  shall  see  !  "  and  Emily  nodded  wisely. 


256  A   GARLAND   FOR   GIRLS. 

"  We  shall ! "  and  Becky  nodded  decidedly,  as  she 
trudged  on  up  the  steep  hill  beside  Mrs.  Spenser, 
while  Emily  walked  slowly  behind,  poking  every  stone 
she  saw  into  the  grass,  unmindful  of  the  detriment  to 
her  delicate  shoes,  being  absorbed  in  a  new  and 
charming  idea  of  trying  to  follow  Mrs.  Taylor's  ex- 
ample  in  a  small  way. 

A  week  later  the  last  night  came,  and  just  as  they 
were  parting  for  bed,  in  rushed  one  of  the  boys  with 
the  exciting  news  that  the  railroad  surveyors  were  in 
town,  the  folks  talking  about  the  grand  enterprise, 
and  the  fortune  of  the  place  made  forever. 

Great  was  the  rejoicing  in  the  old  farm-house ;  the 
boys  cheered,  the  little  girls  danced,  the  two  mothers 
dropped  a  happy  tear  as  they  shook  each  other's  hands, 
and  Emily  embraced  Becky,  tenderly  exclaiming,  — 
"  There,  you  dear  thing,  is  a  great  stone  shoved  out 
of  your  way,  and  a  clear  road  to  fortune  at  last ;  for  I 
shall  tell  all  my  friends  to  buy  your  butter  and  eggs, 
and  fruit  and  pigs,  and  everything  you  send  to  market 
on  that  blessed  railroad.'7 

"  A  keg  of  our  best  winter  butter  is  going  by  stage 
express  to-morrow  anyway  ;  and  when  our  apples  come, 
we  shan't  need  a  railroad  to  get  'em  to  you,  my  darling 
dear,"  answered  Becky,  holding  the  delicate  girl  in  her 
arms  with  a  look  and  gesture  half  sisterly,  half  moth 
erly,  wholly  fond  and  grateful. 

When  Emily  got  to  her  room,  she  found  that  butter 
and  apples  were  not  all  the  humble  souvenirs  offered 
in  return  for  many  comfortable  gifts  to  the  whole 
family. 


MOUNTAIN-LAUREL  AND   MAIDENHAIR.        257 

Oil  the  table,  in  a  pretty  birch-bark  cover,  lay  sev 
eral  of  Becky's  best  poems  neatly  copied,  as  Emily 
had  expressed  a  wish  to  keep  them ;  and  round  the 
rustic  volume,  like  a  ring  of  red  gold,  lay  a  great 
braid  of  Becky's  hair,  tied  with  the  pale  blue  ribbon 
she  had  walked  four  miles  to  buy,  that  her  present 
might  look  its  best. 

Of  course  there  were  more  embraces  and  kisses, 
and  thanks  and  loving  words,  before  Emily  at  last 
lulled  herself  to  sleep  planning  a  Christmas  box, 
which  should  supply  every  wish  and  want  of  the 
entire  family  if  she  could  find  them  out. 

Next  morning  they  parted  ;  but  these  were  not 
mere  summer  friends,  and  they  did  not  lose  sight  of 
one  another,  though  their  ways  lay  far  apart.  Emily 
had  found  a  new  luxury  to  bring  more  pleasure  into 
life,  a  new  medicine  to  strengthen  soul  and  body ;  and 
in  helping  others,  she  helped  herself  wonderfully. 

Becky  went  steadily  on  her  dutiful  way,  till  the 
homestead  was  free,  the  lads  able  to  work  the  farm 
alone,  the  girls  old  enough  to  fill  her  place,  and  the 
good  mother  willing  to  rest  at  last  among  her  chil 
dren.  Then  Becky  gava  herself  to  teaching,  — a  noble 
task,  for  which  she  was  well  fitted,  and  in  which  she 
found  both  profit  and  pleasure,  as  she  led  her  flock 
along  the  paths  from  which  she  removed  the  stum 
bling-blocks  for  their  feet,  as  well  as  for  her  own.  She 
put  her  poetry  into  her  life,  and  made  of  it  "a  grand 
sweet  song"  in  which  beauty  and  duty  rhymed  so 
well  that  the  country  girl  became  a  more  useful,  be- 
17 


258  A   GARLAND   FOR  GIRLS. 

loved,  and  honored  woman  than  if  she  had  tried  to  sing 
for  fame  which  never  satisfies. 

So  each  symbolical  plant  stood  in  its  own  place, 
and  lived  its  appointed  life.  The  delicate  fern  grew 
in  the  conservatory  among  tea-roses  and  camelias, 
adding  grace  to  every  bouquet  of  which  it  formed  a 
part,  whether  it  faded  in  a  ball-room,  or  was  carefully 
cherished  by  some  poor  invalid's  bed-side,  —  a  frail 
thing,  yet  with  tenacious  roots  and  strong  stem,  nour 
ished  by  memories  of  the  rocky  nook  where  it  had 
learned  its  lesson  so  well.  The  mountain  laurel  clung 
to  the  bleak  hillside,  careless  of  wintry  wind  and 
snow,  as  its  sturdy  branches  spread  year  by  year,  with 
its  evergreen  leaves  for  Christmas  cheer,  its  rosy  flow 
ers  for  spring-time,  its  fresh  beauty  free  to  all  as  it 
clothed  the  wild  valley  with  a  charm  that  made  a 
little  poem  of  the  lovely  spot  where  the  pines  whis 
pered,  woodbirds  sang,  and  the  hidden  brook  told  the 
sweet  message  it  brought  from  the  mountain-top  where 
it  was  born. 


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COMPRISING 

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for 


BY    LILY    F.    WESSELHOEFT, 

Author  of  "  Sparrow,  the  Tramp"  '•  The  Winds,  the  Woods, 
and  the  Wanderer,"  etc 


The  story  represents  the  action  of  certain  animals,  the  characters  of  which  are 
depicted  in  accordance  with  their  natures  and  the  exigencies  of  the  story.  The  object 
is  to  cultivate  the  love  of  animal  nature,  which  most  children  feel,  and  especially  for 
S'ich  creatures  a*  bats,  toads  and  others,  which  children  are  often  improperly  taught 
to  regard  with  d'sgust.  The  human  characters  introduced  talk  and  act  naturally,  and 
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PRINCE    VANCE. 

Story  of  a  Prince  with  a   Court   in  His  Box.      I5y  ELEANOR 
PUTNAM  and  ARLO  BATES.     Illustrated  by  Frank  Myrick. 


"Prince  Vance"  is  an  Entertaining  Fairy -Story  oft/ie  wildest  and  most 
fantastic  adventures  and  of  amusing  and  original  impossibilities,  which, 
however,  carry  with  them  a  stern  puritan  moral.  This  allegiance  of  un 
fettered  imagination  and  straightforward,  wholesome,  moral  teaching  is 
unusual,  and  gives  the  little  book  a  special  value. 


Uniform  with  '  1 he  Joyous  Slory  of  Toio." 


TOTCTS    MERRY    WINTER, 

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BY    H.   H., 

AUTHOR   OF   "  BITS   OK   TALK   ABOUT   HOME  MATTERS,' 
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"  The  sketches  of  life,  especially  of  its  odd  and  out-of-the-way  aspects,  by  H.  H. 
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genius  are  of  Colorado  growth,  and  though  without  the  antique  flavor  of  her  recol 
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and  can  say  of  Nelly,  with  their  German  neighbor,  Mr.  Kleesman,  '  Ach  well,  she 
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'  In  '  Nelly's  Silver  Mine'  Mrs.  Helen  Hunt  Jackson  has  given  us  a  true 
classic  for  the  nursery  and  the  school-room,  but  its  readers  will  not  be  confined  to 
any  locality.  Its  vivid  portraiture  of  Colorado  life  and  its  truth  to  child-nature 
give  it  a  charm  which  the  most  experienced  cannot  fail  to  feel.  It  will  stand  by 
the  side  of  Miss  Edgeworth  and  Mrs.  Barbauld  in  all  the  years  to  come."  —  Mrs. 
Caroline  H.  Dall. 

"  We  heartily  commend  the  book  for  its  healthy  spirit,  its  lively  narrative,  an* 
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LOUISA  M.  ALCOTT'S  WRITINGS. 


Miss  Alcott  is  really  a  benefactor  of  households.  —  H.  II. 

Miss  Alcott  has  a  faculty  of  entering  into  the  lives  and  feelings  of  children 
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cause,  to  the  consciousness  among  her  readers  that  they  are  hearing  about 
people  like  themselves,  instead  of  abstract  qualities  labelled  with  names,  the 
fipularity  of  her  books  is  due.  —  MRS.  SARAH  J.  HALE. 

Dear  Aunt  Jo  !  You  are  embalmed  in  the  thoughts  and  loves  of  thou 
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Little  Women ;  or  Meg,  Jo, 
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Out.  A  sequel  to  lk  Little  Men.1' 
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Rose  in  Bloom.  A  sequel  to 
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Under  the  Lilacs.  With  illustra 
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Jack  and  Jill.  A  Village  Story. 
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Work :  A  Story  ( f  Experience. 
With  character  illustrations  by  Sol 
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Moods.  A  Novel.  New  edition, 
Devised  and  enlarged.  i6mo 

/  Modern  Mephistopheles,  and 
A.  Whisper  in  the  Dark.  i6mo 

E  iver  Pitchers,  and  Indepen 
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Proverb  Stories.  New  edition,  re 
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Spinning-Wheel  Stories.  With 
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A  Garland  for  Girls,  and  Other 
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i  50 
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My  Boys,  &c.  First  volume  of 

Aunt  Jo's  Scrap-Bag.  i6mo  .  $1.00 

Shawl-Straps-  Second  volume  of 
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Cupid  and  Chow-Chow,  &c. 
Third  volume  of  Aunt  Jo's  Scrap- 
Bag.  i6mo i.oo 

My  Girls,  &c.  Fourth  volume  of 
Aunt  Jo's  Scrap-Bag.  i6mo  .  .  i.oo 

Jimmy's  Cruise  in  the  Pinafore, 
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An  Old-Fashioned  Thanksgiv 
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Jo's  Scrap-Bag.  161110  ....  i.oo 

Little  Women.  Illustrated.  Em 
bellished  with  nearly  200  charac 
teristic  illustrations  from  original 
designs  drawn  expressly  for  this 
edition  of  this  noted  American 
Classic.  One  small  quarto,  bound 
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Little  Women  Series  Compris 
ing  Little  Women  ;  Little  Men  ; 
Eight  Cousins  ;  Under  the  Lilacs; 
An  Old-Fashioned  Girl  ;  Jo's 
Boys  ;  Rose  in  Bloom  ;  Jack  and 
Jill.  8  large  161110  volumes  in  a 
handsome  box 12.00 

Miss  Alcott's  novels  in  uniform  bind 
ing  in  sets.  Moods;  Work  Hos 
pital  Sketches  ;  A  Modern  Mephis 
topheles,  and  A  Whisper  in  the 
Dark.  4  volumes.  i6mo  .  .  .  6.00 

Lulu's  Library.  Vols.  I.,  II., 
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